Flyers may expect difficulties if they fly on April 8, the same day as the next total solar eclipse.
On March 22, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement advising pilots to expect operational adjustments and increased traffic at airports along the eclipse path. This encompasses Burlington International Airport, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Indianapolis International Airport, Fort Wayne Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will be seen over North America, from Texas to Maine. According to NBC News, the path of totality specifies when and where the eclipse will be seen to the 31.6 million people who live along it, weather permitting.
NASA released a map showing the path of the 2024 total solar eclipse, which begins in Mexico and moves through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before exiting over the North Atlantic.
“Aircraft should be prepared for potential airborne holding, reroutes, and/or Expect Departure Clearance Times that may be issued for all domestic…arrivals and departures,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advised. “… Drivers may expect delays at high traffic seasons. Parking may be limited, especially at smaller, uncontrolled airports.
Airports should expect peak traffic and heavy traffic at smaller airports, according to the FAA, which also stated that enhanced security measures, such as temporary flight limitations and two-way radio communications, may be adopted during the eclipse.
“Practice approaches, touch-and-goes, flight following services and pilot training operations at airports in the path of the eclipse may be extremely limited and possibly prohibited during this time period,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.