Airports At Sea Level: Exploring Unique Aviation Challenges

Airports are typically built on large areas of flat land, often near bodies of water. This means that many airports are at or below sea level. Airports at sea level are susceptible to flooding, and with rising sea levels, many airports are at risk of damage from storms and extreme winds. Some airports at or below sea level include Bar Yehuda Airfield, Furnace Creek Airport, Kansai International Airport, and Amsterdam Schiphol.

Characteristics and Values of Airports at Sea Level

Airports at sea level are vulnerable to climate change

The vulnerability of airports at sea level to climate change is a pressing issue. Airports situated in coastal regions, built on shallow coastal waters, or with runways and infrastructure close to sea level, are already exposed to extreme flood events and will face heightened risks as sea levels continue to rise. Airports in the New York area, such as LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and Newark International, have experienced severe flooding during storms like Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Climate change poses a significant threat to these airports, and the impact is expected to worsen over time. Rising sea levels, combined with extreme weather events, will increase the frequency and severity of flooding in these low-lying areas. Airports in California, such as San Francisco International and Oakland International, are also highly vulnerable, with Oakland International projected to experience flooding with just 16 inches of sea-level rise.

The consequences of these vulnerabilities extend beyond the airports themselves. Airports are critical infrastructure and economic engines, facilitating thousands of flights and serving millions of passengers annually. Disruptions to these airports due to flooding or other climate-related events can have far-reaching impacts on travel, commerce, and the import of essential goods, especially for small island nations that heavily rely on air transportation.

To address these challenges, airport managers in coastal regions are investing in adaptation measures. This includes constructing higher runways and terminals, building sea walls and dikes, improving drainage systems, and implementing navigation technology for low-visibility landings. While mitigation strategies are being explored, the increasing risks posed by climate change to airports at sea level underscore the urgency of global efforts to curb rising temperatures and limit the impacts of sea-level rise.

Airports are taking measures to protect against rising sea levels

Airports, especially those near coastlines, are vulnerable to rising sea levels. Many of these airports are already exposed to extreme flood events, such as hurricanes, typhoons, large storms, and high tides. With rising sea levels, these airports will face increasing risks. For instance, LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Newark airports all suffered flood damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

However, airports are taking measures to protect against rising sea levels. For example, San Francisco International Airport, which is built on reclaimed land that is slowly sinking, has completed a feasibility study for a $383 million project to make the airport more resilient to sea-level rises. The project includes constructing a 10-mile-long steel sheet-pile seawall to protect against rising water levels. Oakland International Airport, which is within 3 ft (0.9 m) of MHHW, has started construction on a $46 million project to raise a 4-mile-long earthen dike by 2 ft (0.6 m) to protect the runways against rising bay waters.

Singapore's Changi Airport has resurfaced its runways to provide better drainage and is building a new terminal 18 feet (5.5 meters) above sea level to protect against rising seas. Brisbane Airport in Australia, located on reclaimed land just 13 feet (4 meters) above sea level, is constructing a new runway 3.3 feet (1 meter) higher than originally planned, with a higher seawall and better drainage systems.

Other airports are also taking action. Boston's Logan airport has raised its electrical equipment and purchased new flood barriers. Philadelphia International Airport, which is vulnerable to sea-level rise, is preparing for rising sea levels by considering adding additional fill to particular areas and purchasing flood barriers. Airports Council International (ACI) is encouraging member airports to conduct risk assessments, develop mitigation measures, and take climate change into account in future master plans.

Airports at sea level face the risk of closure due to storms and floods

Airports located at sea level or near coastal areas are facing unprecedented challenges due to rising sea levels and increasingly extreme weather events. These airports, which include major hubs such as LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Newark, are vulnerable to flooding and storm surges, which can lead to costly disruptions and even closures.

LaGuardia Airport, for instance, suffered major flooding during Superstorm Sandy in 2012, with floodwaters reaching about 9 feet above ground level. Newark and JFK also sustained flood damage during the same storm. According to a report, LaGuardia could experience flooding of up to 12 feet above ground level if a similar storm were to strike during high tide.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States reported in 2012 that more than a dozen of the country's 50 largest airports have infrastructure at risk from sea-level rise and storm surges. A study by Eurocontrol in 2008 identified 34 coastal airports worldwide that are vulnerable to the impacts of rising sea levels. These airports are critical infrastructure, handling thousands of flights and millions of passengers annually, and their disruption can have significant economic and social consequences.

Climate change-related sea-level rise increases the risk of flooding during storms, even those that are relatively minor. Airports in New York, California, and Florida are particularly susceptible to storm surges, and a draft federal assessment named a dozen major U.S. airports as vulnerable to sea-level rise-related flooding risks. Additionally, the access roads and public transportation networks that serve these airports can also be impacted by flooding, hindering the movement of passengers and airport workers.

To mitigate these risks, some airports have implemented measures such as constructing seawalls and raising road levels to provide flood protection. For example, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has been building various types of seawalls since the 1980s and is now focusing on strengthening shoreline areas and improving storm drainage systems. Singapore Changi Airport has raised the surrounding road level, providing both district-level flood protection and a fixed flood barrier. However, maintaining current risk levels by 2100 could cost up to $57 billion, and the combination of rising sea levels and more powerful storms poses a significant and growing threat to airports at or near sea level.

Airports at sea level are typically built on shallow coastal waters

Airports at sea level or close to it are typically built on shallow coastal waters or wetlands. This is because large areas of flat land are required for runways and aircraft to have room to take off. Historically, this type of space has been found near large bodies of water. In addition, when most coastal airports were constructed, sea-level rise was not a concern.

Today, with rising sea levels, airports located at or near sea level are facing unprecedented challenges. A study by Eurocontrol in 2008 identified 34 airports that could be negatively affected by sea-level rise. The US National Climate Assessment in 2014 found that 13 of the country's largest airports have runways susceptible to a 'moderate to high' storm surge. Airports in New York, California, and Florida are at particular risk.

In the United States, more than a dozen of the nation's 50 largest airports have infrastructure at risk from sea-level rise and flooding from storm surges. For example, LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Newark airports all suffered flood damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. In response, some airports have begun implementing measures to protect against flooding, such as raising electrical equipment and installing new flood barriers, walls, and berms.

Climate change is already impacting airports close to sea level, and they are facing pressure from investors to prepare for future consequences. As sea levels continue to rise, these airports will need to adapt to mitigate the risks of flooding and extreme weather events.

Airports at sea level are often hubs for thousands of flights and millions of passengers

Most of the world's major cities are located along coastlines, and their large international airports are typically built very close to sea level. Airports require large areas of flat land for runways and aircraft take-off, which is often found on wetlands, marshlands, and floodplains near large water bodies. This proximity to the sea, combined with rising sea levels, poses significant challenges and risks of flooding and extreme weather events.

Several airports, including LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Newark, suffered flood damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Kansai International Airport in Japan, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, and airports in Singapore, the US, Australia, and Western Europe are also located close to sea level.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported in 2012 that over a dozen of the largest airports in the US are at risk from sea-level rise and storm surges. A study by Eurocontrol in 2008 identified 34 coastal airports vulnerable to sea-level rise. These airports must implement strategies to manage floodwater and protect against rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

With the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, airports at sea level face the challenge of ensuring the safety of passengers and maintaining operations. Strategies such as building walls, berms, and barriers, as well as raising electrical equipment and improving drainage systems, are being employed to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels and associated weather events.

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