The Federal Aviation Administration is warning travelers and pilots that a total solar eclipse in April could cause disruption to air traffic, especially at airports located in what is known as a total solar eclipse.
The FAA on Thursday posted what it calls “special air traffic procedures” on its website listing airports with potential industry impacts or operational changes.
Hundreds of airports are located throughout the route or close enough for service aviators interested in this phenomenon.
This bulletin includes major airports such as Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Indianapolis International Airport, and Cleveland International Airport.
Starting at noon on April 8, the moon will completely block out the sun for several minutes, creating a period of darkness that will begin over Texas and spread across 15 states.
All of the lower 48 regions will be subject to the partial event, but communities located in the region space experts call the umbral will have the best chance of seeing the narrow path of wholeness.
It is estimated that more than 30 million Americans live along this trail, and millions more are expected to travel to states such as Texas, Ohio, and New York to see this spectacle.
The phenomenon is similar to the solar eclipse that occurred in 2017, when the sun was temporarily blocked from coast to coast by the moon.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association reported that air traffic during previous events increased by 20 to 40 percent at control centers that were within range of the total flight.
Compared to normal weekday traffic, Indianapolis Center saw a 36% increase in traffic, Seattle Center saw a 33% increase and Kansas City saw a 35% increase, the association said.
Commercial aircraft traffic remains within manageable limits, but air traffic controllers said the addition of commercial aircraft will push the number beyond holiday traffic.
The combination of increased traffic and any type of weather system can cause significant delays, as happened at Chicago’s main airport during an event about seven years ago.
The FAA also warns pilots that special restrictions may be issued three to five days before the event.
While neither the FAA nor the Transportation Security Administration has issued specific guidance for passengers in advance of the eclipse, the general recommendation is that airlines always arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure. are doing.
Some airlines, including Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines, offered special flights to view the total orbit from about 30,000 feet in the air, but the deals lasted only a few hours and sold out.
One of the last communities in the continental United States to see a total path is Houlton, Maine, where the entire event ends by 5pm EDT.
