Since July 27, as many as 16 flights have been cancelled due to high temperature in Ladakh. Leh airport sees cancellations when the mercury climbs beyond 32°C. “This is perhaps the first time that an extreme weather event (heat in high altitude) is causing flight cancellations at Leh airport. We cannot recall any instance in the past that could match what’s happening for three days in a row,” airport sources stated.
Leh sees 15-16 arrivals and as many departures daily. It’s at an altitude of 3.3km above sea level, making it among the highest elevation airfields in the world. “High temperature at that altitude, where air is rarefied, means engines cannot develop thrust required to take off with commercially viable load,” senior pilots said.
IndiGo and SpiceJet cancelled four flights to Leh due to an unprecedented heat wave, with cancellations continuing for four consecutive days. High temperatures of over 32 degrees Celsius at Leh Airport, situated at 3.3 km above sea level, have caused operational challenges. This marks the first time extreme heat has led to such disruptions at Leh.
A Montreal-bound Air Canada flight from Morocco was canceled after a flight attendant was recorded yelling at a passenger who requested a blanket. The incident led to a delay until Sunday, with passengers being offered compensation. Air Canada brought in a new crew for the rescheduled flight and issued an apology, promising a review of the incident.
Several flights at Beirut airport were disrupted due to rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah after a rocket strike in Golan Heights killed 12 children. Middle East Airlines cited insurance risks for the disruptions. Airlines including Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Ethiopian Air cancelled their flights. Lebanons Beirut-Rafic Hariri Airport has faced similar disruptions in past conflicts.
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