Aircraft Emissions and the Environment

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports have shown that global warming is due to increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs). Several studies have linked extreme weather to global warming and the frequency of extreme weather events is increasing. Global warming is projected to pose a major threat to the aviation sector; the direct consequence arising from the reduced lift (dependent on air density). It is projected that under extreme conditions, it would be difficult for aircraft to take-off during summer in the tropics. Storms such as cyclones and tornadoes pose challenges to the aviation sector. Cyclones can cause flooding of airfields and terminals. Underground power utilities are likely to short due to inundation, which can cause power outages. Strong winds can damage control towers and other ground equipment and installations. Due to the recent floods (August 2018), the international airport at Kochi, one of the busy airports of India, was shut down for nearly two weeks, consequent to extreme precipitation in the catchment areas of rivers. One of Japan’s busiest airports, Kansai International Airport in Osaka, had to be closed recently (September 2018) because of flooding caused by typhoon Jebi, the strongest to hit Japan in 25 years. Flood waters covered runways, leaving several planes submerged up to their engines and more than 1000 flights were cancelled. Just a few years ago, the Chennai International Airport was completely shut down after the unusually heavy precipitation flooded the airfield. Blizzards and other extreme cold weather conditions can cause icy runways and frozen fuelling equipment. Icy runways make safe take-offs and landings extremely difficult. Airports need to close during heavy blizzards. Necessary safety precautions for open airports include gritting of runways and de-icing of aircraft.