Mediterranean warming threatens European aviation safety

Warming in the Mediterranean Sea is driving the development of intense thunderstorms that threaten the safety and operational efficiency of European airports, according to a study by Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).

The research, published in the journal ‘Atmospheric Science Letters’, highlights how rising sea temperatures create conditions favorable for severe convective activity. Lead researcher Tommaso Alberti warns that if warming continues, more intense storms could occur across summer, autumn, and winter, impacting airport infrastructure and flight operations.

By analyzing a specific storm event at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport in December 2024, researchers compared recent atmospheric conditions to the period between 1979 and 2000. The study found significant thermodynamic changes, noting that air temperatures in parts of Italy have risen by approximately two degrees Celsius, while Mediterranean surface temperatures have increased by about 1.5 degrees Celsius. These changes contribute to increased wind shear, sudden gusts, and reduced visibility during critical flight phases.