Leh Air Travel Chaos: Record Heat Forces Flight Cancellations at High-Altitude Airport

Leh July 30 2024 : In a rare disruption attributed to climate change, air travel to and from Leh, Ladakh, faced significant cancellations on Sunday due to unprecedented weather conditions. The high-altitude region, known as a “cold desert,” experienced temperatures soaring to 36 degrees Celsius, resulting in thinner air that posed challenges for aircraft operations.

As India’s highest commercial airport, located at 11,000 feet, Leh typically experiences winter temperatures dropping to -20°C. However, the recent heatwave led to a reduction in air density, making it difficult for aircraft to generate the necessary thrust and lift for safe operations.

The airport, which handles around 15-16 flights daily, saw a series of cancellations starting Saturday. Initially, two flights were cancelled, followed by four on Sunday, and six more on Monday. Major airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet were forced to cancel a dozen flights scheduled around noon as the high temperatures continued to disrupt operations.

“This is probably the first time that airline flights have been cancelled because of high temperatures. Last year, the temperature was not so high as to affect flights,” an anonymous official from Leh airport told the Times of India. Most cancelled flights were bound for Delhi.

In an interview with Business Standard, aviation expert Solanki explained the impact of reduced air density on flight operations. At high altitudes like Leh, the combination of naturally low air pressure and elevated temperatures decreases air density, reducing the concentration of air molecules in a given volume. This phenomenon requires aircraft engines to work harder to generate the necessary thrust and lift, as fewer air molecules are available for intake and combustion.

The increased power demand can exceed the aircraft’s capabilities, rendering operations unsafe. The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, one of the highest in the world, already faces challenges from mountain winds, necessitating flights during cooler morning hours to avoid such issues.

As climate change continues to influence weather patterns, such unprecedented events highlight the need for adapting aviation operations to ensure safety in high-altitude regions like Leh.