Stormy Skies: The Airports Most Hit by Lightning

Lightning is a serious threat to the aviation world. It causes many delays and puts people in danger. It is responsible for keeping planes on the ground and making passengers wait. This is especially true in certain parts of the world. In Southeast Asia, for example, lightning is a big problem. The weather there is hot and humid, which makes thunderstorms more likely. This means that airports in this region often have to stop their operations when storms hit. The airport with the most lightning risk is Kuala Lumpur International. It had over 13, 000 minutes of lightning risk last year. This is a lot of time for flights to be delayed or canceled. Other airports in Southeast Asia also have high lightning risk. These include Tan Son Nhat International in Vietnam and Singapore Changi. Even some airports in the United States, like Miami and Orlando, have a lot of lightning activity. Lightning can cause big problems for airlines. It can cost them a lot of money and disrupt travel plans. For example, a report from Airlines for America said that it costs about 100 dollars for every minute a plane is on the ground due to weather. But the total cost can be much higher, especially when you consider all the extra costs that come with delays and cancellations. Not all airports have the same amount of lightning risk. Some airports, like Amsterdam Schiphol and London Heathrow, have much lower risk. This means they can operate more smoothly and have fewer delays. But even in these airports, lightning can still cause problems from time to time. Airlines and airports can use weather data to plan better. By knowing when and where lightning is most likely to happen, they can schedule flights to avoid the worst times. This can help reduce delays and make travel safer. For example, airlines can choose to fly early in the morning during the peak lightning months. They can also reroute flights to avoid areas with high lightning risk. Lightning is a serious issue for the aviation industry. It causes delays, costs money, and puts people in danger. But by understanding the patterns of lightning activity, airlines and airports can make better decisions. They can plan their operations to avoid the worst times and reduce the impact of thunderstorms. This can help make air travel safer and more efficient for everyone.