Extreme Heat Causes Flight Delays at Las Vegas Airport

Record high temperatures are disrupting air travel by thinning the air needed for lift and engine thrust. At Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, temperatures reached 114 °F (47 °C) on July 24, prompting American Airlines to offer compensation to passengers who voluntarily gave up their seats. Airlines may have to reduce aircraft weight by off‑loading passengers, cargo or fuel to ensure a safe take‑off.

Experts explain that hot, thin air affects all airports in desert climates and those at higher elevations or with short runways. Researchers warn that human‑caused climate change will make such heat‑related disruptions more frequent across the United States and Europe.