Introduction

This training course provides an overview of how extreme weather events affect aviation operations and safety. Participants will learn about key weather hazards, their impact on flights and airport operations, and the importance of preparedness and risk management. The course aims to raise awareness and support safer decision‑making in an environment increasingly influenced by climate change.

Course Content

Day 1: The Physics of Climate Change and Aviation Meteorology

• The New Normal: Understanding the shift from "standard" weather to extreme volatility (increased frequency and intensity).
• Atmospheric Dynamics: Impact of rising global temperatures on air density and its direct effect on Lift and Takeoff Performance.
• Clear Air Turbulence (CAT): The science behind the intensification of the jet stream and the rising difficulty of CAT detection.
• Case Study: Analysis of high-altitude turbulence incidents.

Day 2: Impact on Aircraft Performance and Safety

• Density Altitude Challenges: Operational limits in high-heat environments (e.g., weight restrictions, fuel load tradeoffs, and runway length requirements).
• Extreme Precipitation & Icing: Advanced aerodynamics of "Supercooled Large Droplets" (SLD) and the failure of traditional de-icing in extreme cold snaps.
• Engine Resilience: Performance of modern turbofans in sand/dust storms and high-moisture convective environments.
• Technical Accuracy Check: Calculating True Airspeed (TAS) vs. Indicated Airspeed (IAS) variations in non-standard atmospheres.

Day 3: Airport Infrastructure and Ground Operations

• Infrastructure Hardening: Resilience strategies for sea-level rise and flooding at coastal hubs (e.g., drainage capacity, levee systems).
• Surface Operations: Managing "Heat Island" effects on tarmac workers and the structural integrity of runway pavements under extreme heat.
• Sustainable Ground Support: Transitioning to electric GSE in extreme temperature climates (battery performance and cooling).
• Demo 12 Insights: Reviewing the ALBATROS findings on European airport operational resilience.

Day 4: Air Traffic Management (ATM) & Network Resilience

• Capacity Management: How extreme weather "shinks" usable airspace and leads to regional/global knock-on delays.
• Dynamic Rerouting: Utilizing AI and real-time data to optimize flight paths (The "Green Flight" concept vs. weather constraints).
• ICAO Annex 16 Vol II & III (Emissions): Why extreme weather reroutes (avoiding storms) lead to higher fuel burn and non-compliance with emission targets.
• Workshop: Simulating a "total airport closure" due to a "snow bomb" or tropical cyclone and managing the recovery phase.

Day 5: Risk Assessment, Crisis Management, and Policy

• Risk Assessment Frameworks: Applying ISO 31000 and ICAO Annex 19 (SMS) to climate-related hazards.
• EASA & The European Climate Law: Overview of the mandate for "climate neutrality by 2050" and how it forces the industry to adapt.
• The EPAS Framework: How the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) prioritizes climate-related hazards.
• Crisis Communication: Maintaining stakeholder trust during extended weather-induced disruptions.
• The Regulatory Landscape: Understanding ICAO’s Climate Adaptation Synthesis Report and IATA’s net-zero 2050 roadmaps.

Final Project: Developing a localized Climate Adaptation Plan for a specific airport or airline operation.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

1. Explain how climate change is transforming weather patterns and how these changes affect aviation. (Explain: LoA 2 -Alternative Analyse – LoA 3)
2. Explain how extreme temperatures, wind, precipitation, storms, and turbulence influence aircraft performance and airport operations. (Explain LoA 2 -Alternative: Analyse – LoA 3)
3. Interpret climate projections and basic climate model outputs for operational decision-making. (Interpret-LoA 3 -Alternative: Evaluate – LoA 4)
4. Identify the main risks that extreme weather poses to aircraft, infrastructure, ground operations, and air traffic management. (|dentify LoA 2 - Alt: Analyse – LoA 3)
5. Select practical mitigation and adaptation measures to support resilience in airports and airlines, including infrastructure planning and operational procedures. (Select LoA 3 -Alternative: Evaluate – LoA 4)
6. Explain how extreme weather affects network capacity, rerouting, delays, and emissions. (Explain LoA 2 -Alternative: Analyse – LoA 3)
7. Apply risk assessment and crisis management principles to weather-related disruptions. (Apply LoA 3 → Alternative Evaluate – LoA 4)
8. Describe the regulatory frameworks guiding climate adaptation in aviation, including ICAO, EASA, EPAS, and European climate neutrality goals. (Describe LoA 2 - Alternative: Analyse – LoA 3)

Who should take this course

Industry Professionals:

• Aviation Operators: Individuals involved in the management and operation of airlines, airports, and ground services.
• Aircraft Manufacturers: Professionals engaged in the design, production, and maintenance of aircraft.
• Suppliers and Service Providers: Companies offering products and services that support aviation operations.

Regulatory Authorities:

• Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs): Government agencies responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation activities.
• Environmental Agencies: Organizations focused on environmental protection and sustainability within the aviation sector.

International Organizations:

• ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization): A UN specialized agency that sets global standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and environmental protection.
• EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency): An EU agency that ensures the safety of civil aviation in Europe.

Educational and Research Institutions:

• Universities and Colleges: Academic institutions offering programs and research opportunities in aviation and environmental sciences.
• Research Organizations: Entities conducting studies on sustainable aviation technologies and practices.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Industry Associations:

• Environmental NGOs: Organizations advocating for environmental sustainability within the aviation industry.
• Industry Associations: Groups representing various stakeholders in the aviation sector, such as the Airports Council International (ACI).

Job Levels and Organizational Types:

• Middle to Senior Management: Professionals responsible for strategic decision-making and policy implementation.
• Technical and Operational Staff: Individuals involved in the day-to-day operations and technical aspects of aviation services.

Policy Makers and Advisors: Experts providing guidance on regulatory frameworks and sustainability initiatives.

Pre-requisites

• Proficiency Level 4 (operational) in English is highly recommended.
• An understanding of Aviation Industry or already Aviation professionals.
• Participants are kindly requested to bring a laptop to the workshop to access the materials which will only be provided in electronic format.

Duration

5 Days: 09:00 – 17:00 hrs.