Flight Ops to Leh Airport Disrupted Due to High Temperature

Flight Ops to Leh Airport Disrupted Due to High Temperature

Flight Ops to Leh Airport Disrupted Due to High Temperature

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High temperatures force flight cancellations at high-altitude Leh airport.

Flight operations at Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, located at nearly 10,700 feet above sea level, have been disrupted due to unusually high temperatures. Domestic airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet and Vistara, which operate A320 and B737 planes to Leh, have been cancelling flights. In recent days, there have been challenging conditions.

According to industry officials, the maximum operating temperature for an A320 Neo aircraft is 33 degrees Celsius, while for a Boeing 737, it is 32 degrees Celsius. A SpiceJet official explained that temperatures exceeding these limits prevent the safe operation of these aircraft at such a high elevation. In recent weeks, temperatures in Leh have frequently exceeded 30 degrees Celsius, leading to numerous flight cancellations.

An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed that their flight operations to and from Leh have been affected by the high outside air temperatures, which are beyond the airline’s control. The exact number of flights cancelled on Tuesday could not be determined.

Pilots require special training to operate flights to Leh airport, which is one of the highest commercial airports in the world. The high temperatures at this altitude reduce air density, making it difficult for aircraft to take off with full payloads. Aviation industry officials have noted that this has been a significant operational issue.

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The Airports Authority of India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation are in discussions with domestic airlines to mitigate these disruptions. Potential solutions include operating smaller aircraft to Leh and providing compensation for operating at reduced capacity.

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