Hundreds of airports are expected to be impacted by the forthcoming solar eclipse next month, according to the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). The agency has indicated that some of the nation’s busiest airports could experience congestion due to “special air traffic procedures” implemented during the eclipse, which will traverse over ten states from Texas to Maine within a few hours on April 8.
A total solar eclipse, an uncommon astronomical event causing temporary daylight darkness due to the moon obstructing the sun’s rays to Earth, last occurred in the US in 2017. The upcoming eclipse is unique as the next one is not expected until August 2044.
The FAA’s bulletin highlights the “possible impacts to air traffic and airports along the eclipse path” from April 7 to 10, attributing potential disruptions not to the eclipse’s darkness but to elevated air traffic levels, a Newsweek report said.
Delta Airlines plans to conduct path-of-totality flights, allowing passengers to experience extended eclipse viewing at 30,000 feet with enhanced views from an A220-300 aircraft’s large windows, from Austin, Texas to Detroit, Michigan.
Major airports such as Dallas-Fort Worth International, Indianapolis International, Burlington International, and Cleveland International are highlighted in the FAA bulletin, with anticipated travel advisories including rerouting and potential delays during the event, the Newsweek report said.
The eclipse’s path will cover 12 US states, starting in Texas and extending through the northeast, concluding in Maine. It will then proceed to Canada, ending over the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland. The 2017 solar eclipse witnessed a 23 to 36 percent increase in air traffic in areas within the eclipse’s path, suggesting similar conditions can be expected next month.
A total solar eclipse, an uncommon astronomical event causing temporary daylight darkness due to the moon obstructing the sun’s rays to Earth, last occurred in the US in 2017. The upcoming eclipse is unique as the next one is not expected until August 2044.
The FAA’s bulletin highlights the “possible impacts to air traffic and airports along the eclipse path” from April 7 to 10, attributing potential disruptions not to the eclipse’s darkness but to elevated air traffic levels, a Newsweek report said.
Delta Airlines plans to conduct path-of-totality flights, allowing passengers to experience extended eclipse viewing at 30,000 feet with enhanced views from an A220-300 aircraft’s large windows, from Austin, Texas to Detroit, Michigan.
Major airports such as Dallas-Fort Worth International, Indianapolis International, Burlington International, and Cleveland International are highlighted in the FAA bulletin, with anticipated travel advisories including rerouting and potential delays during the event, the Newsweek report said.
The eclipse’s path will cover 12 US states, starting in Texas and extending through the northeast, concluding in Maine. It will then proceed to Canada, ending over the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland. The 2017 solar eclipse witnessed a 23 to 36 percent increase in air traffic in areas within the eclipse’s path, suggesting similar conditions can be expected next month.
