The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has issued a warning about potential disruptions at hundreds of airports across the United States due to the total solar eclipse scheduled for April 8. This astronomical event, which will cast a shadow over ten states from Texas to Maine, could lead to congestion at some of the nation’s busiest airports due to special air traffic procedures in place during the eclipse. This phenomenon, where the moon blocks sunlight from reaching Earth, creating a temporary darkness during daylight, last fascinated the US in 2017, with the next one not due until 2044.
According to the FAA, the disruptions expected from April 7 to 10 are not directly caused by the eclipse’s darkness but by an anticipated increase in air traffic. Airlines, such as Delta, are seizing the opportunity to offer path-of-totality flights for passengers to experience the eclipse from an optimal viewing height of 30,000 feet. These flights, designed to provide extended viewing of the eclipse through larger aircraft windows, will travel from Austin, Texas to Detroit, Michigan.
Key airports like Dallas-Fort Worth International, Indianapolis International, Burlington International, and Cleveland International may face travel advisories, including rerouting and delays, during the eclipse period. The FAA’s advisory highlights the need for travelers to prepare for potential impacts along the eclipse’s path, which will stretch across 12 states before moving into Canada and ending off Newfoundland’s Atlantic coast. The last solar eclipse in 2017 saw a significant increase in air traffic, by 23 to 36 percent in the affected areas, hinting at a likely repeat of such conditions next month.
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