Weather and How It Affects Flights
Weather affects everyone across the globe and, at times, affects airlines and travel. Unfortunately, airlines have no control over what Mother Nature decides to do. In January of this year, over 1000 flights were canceled, affecting domestic and international travel. Many travelers faced long delays due to high winds this year. Three types of winds can hinder an aircraft from landing or taking off: head, tail, and crosswinds. According to FAA statistics, weather causes approximately 70 percent of the delays in the National Airspace System (NAS). (Kulesa, 2002) Bad storms can also cause airports to close or cause take-off and landing issues; they could also cause flight diversions that cost operators more money in the long run due to fuel expenses, landing fees, and the loss of passengers' time. In addition to high winds, turbulence, thunderstorms, ceiling and visibility, and icing conditions also affect flights and can cause possib...