Climate Change Impacts on Maximum Aviation Payloads of Chinese Airports

This research investigates climate change impacts on the maximum aviation payload capacity across China’s airport network. Through analysis of projections from 30 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 5-8.5 (SSP5-8.5) scenario, we quantif...

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Main Authors: Haijun Song, Tinglong Zhang, Jian Zou, Xianbiao Kang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/5/597
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author Haijun Song
Tinglong Zhang
Jian Zou
Xianbiao Kang
author_facet Haijun Song
Tinglong Zhang
Jian Zou
Xianbiao Kang
author_sort Haijun Song
collection DOAJ
description This research investigates climate change impacts on the maximum aviation payload capacity across China’s airport network. Through analysis of projections from 30 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 5-8.5 (SSP5-8.5) scenario, we quantify the temperature and the pressure effects on maximum take-off weight (MTOW) at 184 Chinese airports. The results reveal that all airports experience MTOW reductions by 2081–2100, with high-plateau airports (>2438 m) facing more moderate decreases (−1.25%) than plain airports (<1500 m) (−1.72%). This counterintuitive pattern stems from elevation-dependent pressure compensation: high-altitude regions benefit from significant pressure increases (4.6 hPa) that partially offset temperature-induced density reductions, while lowland areas receive minimal pressure compensation (0.9 hPa). For commercial aircraft, these changes translate to 1.3–2.9 tons of payload reduction for narrow-body aircraft at plain airports. Our findings demonstrate how topography modulates climate impacts on aviation operations, highlighting the need for regionally tailored adaptation strategies with a focus on economically vital lowland hubs.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2073-4433
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Atmosphere
spelling doaj-art-ad26259cc35641aaa7d571d9b4886d212025-08-20T03:47:48ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-05-0116559710.3390/atmos16050597Climate Change Impacts on Maximum Aviation Payloads of Chinese AirportsHaijun Song0Tinglong Zhang1Jian Zou2Xianbiao Kang3College of Aviation Meteorology, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, ChinaCollege of Aviation Meteorology, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, ChinaSichuan Airlines Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610202, ChinaCollege of Aviation Meteorology, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, ChinaThis research investigates climate change impacts on the maximum aviation payload capacity across China’s airport network. Through analysis of projections from 30 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 5-8.5 (SSP5-8.5) scenario, we quantify the temperature and the pressure effects on maximum take-off weight (MTOW) at 184 Chinese airports. The results reveal that all airports experience MTOW reductions by 2081–2100, with high-plateau airports (>2438 m) facing more moderate decreases (−1.25%) than plain airports (<1500 m) (−1.72%). This counterintuitive pattern stems from elevation-dependent pressure compensation: high-altitude regions benefit from significant pressure increases (4.6 hPa) that partially offset temperature-induced density reductions, while lowland areas receive minimal pressure compensation (0.9 hPa). For commercial aircraft, these changes translate to 1.3–2.9 tons of payload reduction for narrow-body aircraft at plain airports. Our findings demonstrate how topography modulates climate impacts on aviation operations, highlighting the need for regionally tailored adaptation strategies with a focus on economically vital lowland hubs.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/5/597climate changeaviationmaximum take-off weightChinese airports
spellingShingle Haijun Song
Tinglong Zhang
Jian Zou
Xianbiao Kang
Climate Change Impacts on Maximum Aviation Payloads of Chinese Airports
Atmosphere
climate change
aviation
maximum take-off weight
Chinese airports
title Climate Change Impacts on Maximum Aviation Payloads of Chinese Airports
title_full Climate Change Impacts on Maximum Aviation Payloads of Chinese Airports
title_fullStr Climate Change Impacts on Maximum Aviation Payloads of Chinese Airports
title_full_unstemmed Climate Change Impacts on Maximum Aviation Payloads of Chinese Airports
title_short Climate Change Impacts on Maximum Aviation Payloads of Chinese Airports
title_sort climate change impacts on maximum aviation payloads of chinese airports
topic climate change
aviation
maximum take-off weight
Chinese airports
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/5/597
work_keys_str_mv AT haijunsong climatechangeimpactsonmaximumaviationpayloadsofchineseairports
AT tinglongzhang climatechangeimpactsonmaximumaviationpayloadsofchineseairports
AT jianzou climatechangeimpactsonmaximumaviationpayloadsofchineseairports
AT xianbiaokang climatechangeimpactsonmaximumaviationpayloadsofchineseairports