Airports: Weather-Related Closures And Their Impact

Airports rarely close completely due to weather conditions, but weather is a significant cause of flight delays and cancellations. A 2023 survey by the passenger advocacy group AirHelp found that long flight delays and cancellations cost each affected passenger an average of $395 in expenses like non-refundable costs, new hotel bookings, and food.

Low clouds and fog

During low cloud and fog conditions, the most challenging aspect of flying is not takeoff or landing but taxiing to the runway. Pilots rely primarily on maps and limited visual-led communications to navigate due to the lack of visuals on the airport grounds. To ensure maximum distance during takeoff, planes go to more distant holding points, adding hundreds of meters to the usual distance. The process of taxiing becomes even more complicated as entering an active runway during low visibility can lead to catastrophic consequences. Therefore, pilots often choose to halt their taxi and communicate with air traffic control (ATC) if there is any uncertainty about their exact location.

Once an aircraft reaches the runway, the crew must assess the visibility conditions to ensure they meet the minimum criteria for takeoff. Each aircraft type and airport have specific minimum visibility requirements that must be satisfied before ATC clears the aircraft for takeoff. Additionally, runways are kept clear until the aircraft is airborne to ensure safe operations. These procedures cause significant delays in the usual traffic flow.

Landing during low visibility is also a complex task, as pilots must rely on autopilot and high-level instrument landing systems (ILS) to safely land the aircraft. ILS has a minimum altitude requirement, after which the pilot must be able to visually identify the runway. Only the most advanced aircraft, such as civil airliners or military aircraft, may be able to 'auto-land' in extremely low-visibility conditions, and even then, airline and military procedures may prohibit 'auto-landings' under certain circumstances.

Ice fog, a type of fog where the temperature is below freezing, poses additional challenges. It can coat runways and taxiways with a thin layer of ice, creating hazardous conditions. Furthermore, ice fog can freeze onto aircraft, disrupting aerodynamics by adding drag and weight and potentially damaging engines. As a result, affected aircraft must undergo deicing before they can fly again, leading to further delays.

Thunderstorms

While thunderstorms can cause significant disruptions to air travel, it is uncommon for flights to be cancelled due to thunderstorms. Usually, flights will be delayed while air traffic control waits for the thunderstorm to pass.

Snow

In January 2025, heavy snowfall disrupted flights across the UK and Germany. Multiple airports in the UK, including Manchester, Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, Newcastle International Airport, Birmingham, and Bristol, temporarily closed their runways due to snow and ice. Frankfurt Airport in Germany also experienced cancellations, while Munich Airport had only one runway open.

The impact of snow on airports can also result in indirect hazards and economic losses. Delays and cancellations can lead to congestion and impact the operations of surrounding transport networks. Furthermore, the psychological effects of delays and cancellations on airport personnel and passengers have been recognised, although studies on this topic remain limited.

To mitigate the impact of snowfall, accurate and timely weather forecasting is essential for efficient airport management. High-resolution numerical weather prediction capabilities are required to forecast snow characteristics, such as snow type and amount, enabling airports to better prepare for and manage the challenges posed by snowy weather.

Wind

In December 2024, Storm Darragh caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights at Schiphol Airport, one of Europe's main hubs. The storm brought heavy winds, with gusts of up to 80 mph, leading to delays and cancellations across Europe.

Similarly, in the UK, strong winds have led to airport disruptions and cancellations. During the Christmas holidays in 2024, Heathrow Airport, the UK's busiest airport, cancelled over 100 flights due to wind warnings. The Met Office issued yellow wind warnings, with gusts expected to reach up to 80 mph in some parts of the country. These winds caused travel chaos, affecting flights, ferries, and trains.

Additionally, wind combined with other weather conditions can exacerbate the impact on airports. For instance, at San Francisco International Airport, low clouds and fog, coupled with wind, contribute to frequent delays. The airport's runway layout further complicates the situation, as the FAA requires a minimum distance between runways for side-by-side landings when visibility is low. As a result, arrivals must be staggered, reducing the number of arrivals per hour.

Furthermore, wind can also impact ground operations at airports. For instance, strong crosswinds at Denver International Airport may require arriving planes to use alternative runways or even hold at their originating airport. Wind can also make for a bumpy climb or descent, affecting passenger comfort and safety.

Overall, wind is a critical factor in airport closures and delays, affecting flight operations, runway usage, and ground handling. Strong winds can cause travel disruptions, with potential safety risks, and often result in cancellations and delays to ensure the well-being of passengers, crew, and aircraft.

Tropical storms and hurricanes

In the case of Hurricane Ian, which struck Florida in September 2022, multiple airports in the state announced temporary closures or suspended operations. Tampa International Airport, for instance, closed at 5 pm on Tuesday, ahead of the anticipated landfall of the hurricane. The airport typically handles 450 flights daily, and the closure was expected to affect a high volume of travellers. Other airports that ceased operations due to Hurricane Ian included St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, and Orlando International Airport.

The impact of tropical storms and hurricanes on airports can be substantial. In addition to flight cancellations and delays, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges associated with these weather events can cause damage to airport infrastructure and equipment. This, in turn, may lead to extended closures while repairs and restoration take place.

To mitigate the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes, airports implement various measures. These include moving aircraft out of harm's way, ensuring the protection of air traffic control facilities and equipment, and preparing for potential flooding or wind damage. In some cases, airports may also offer reduced, last-minute fares to assist those evacuating from the path of the storm.

It is important to note that while airports may close or suspend operations due to tropical storms and hurricanes, the decision-making process considers the safety of travellers, staff, and infrastructure. Airports typically work closely with local authorities and weather forecasts to determine the appropriate course of action, aiming to resume operations as soon as conditions allow.

Frequently asked questions