At 36 Degrees ‘Cold Desert’ In Leh Too Hot For Flights To Operate, Several Flights Cancelled

Thinner air implies that aircraft engines need to work harder to generate thrust and lift due to the limited air molecules available for intake and combustion.

All flights travelling to and from Leh, Ladakh, faced cancellations on Sunday due to an unprecedented weather event linked to climate change. The flights were grounded due to a reduction in air density in the region, making operations impossible. Several reports indicate that the cold desert of Leh is becoming too hot for flights to function. India’s highest commercial airport, Leh, witnessed disruptions in flight operations as temperatures soared to 36 degrees Celsius, causing the high-altitude air to thin out, posing risks to safe aircraft operations.

Leh, with around 15-16 aircraft arrivals and departures daily, experienced cancellations starting from Saturday, with two flights cancelled initially, followed by four on Sunday, and six on Monday. IndiGo and SpiceJet have been forced to cancel a dozen flights scheduled around noon as day-time temperatures soared to 36 degrees Celsius, rendering the high-altitude air too thin for safe aircraft operations. It is a rare phenomenon considering Leh’s location at 11,000 feet where winter temperatures drop to -20°C.

“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,” said an official from Leh airport, requesting anonymity told TOI, adding that most of the flights cancelled since Saturday were Delhi-bound.

The Science Behind Flight Cancellations

Speaking to Business Standard, Solanki shared his experience and provided key insights into how air density can impact flight operations. He explained that flights were grounded due to unusually high temperatures, a surprising occurrence given that Leh is located at an altitude of 11,000 feet, where winters see temperatures plummet to -20°C.

The cancellations were attributed to the thinning of air due to reduced air density at Leh’s high altitude. Air density signifies the concentration of air molecules in a given volume. The combination of naturally low air pressure and elevated temperatures further decreased air density. Despite Leh’s dry climate, any temperature rise causes air expansion and thinning.

Challenges Faced by Aircraft

Thinner air implies that aircraft engines need to work harder to generate thrust and lift due to the limited air molecules available for intake and combustion. This increased power demand may exceed the aircraft’s capabilities, making operations unsafe in such conditions. The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, among the world’s highest, encounters challenges from mountain winds, necessitating flight operations during morning hours.