FAA Issues Travel Warning Ahead Of April 8 Total Solar Eclipse

The upcoming total solar eclipse is causing much excitement, with millions wanting to be in the path of the totality of the celestial event. While special flights and even cruises have been offered to experience it, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a travel warning ahead of the event. This could cause possible disruptions for flyers who take to the skies on April 8, the day it happens.

Federal Aviation Administration  (FAA) warns of possible flight delays

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that travelers could experience disruption if they happen to fly on April 8, the date of the total solar eclipse. According to a statement on March 22, the FAA announced that pilots should prepare for operational changes that day. They were also warned of above-average traffic volume at airports along the path of totality of the eclipse. This includes the following airports:

• Burlington International Airport
• Syracuse Hancock International Airport
• Indianapolis International Airport
• Fort Wayne Airport
• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
• Buffalo Niagara International Airport
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

About the 2024 total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will be visible from North America, as it makes its path from Texas northeast to Maine on April 8, 2024. Meanwhile, the path of totality indicates when and where the 31.6 million people living in its path are expected to watch it happen. As noted by NBC News, this is dependent on the weather conditions along that path.

Meanwhile, NASA has released a map detailing the path of totality of the 2024 total eclipse, which can be seen in the video below. That map details the trajectory of the eclipse, including a clear view of the eclipse along its path from Mexico. From there, it is set to move across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before exiting over the North Atlantic.

Warning about flights

“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 FAA said, adding, “Traffic should anticipate delays during peak traffic periods. Parking may be limited – particularly at the smaller, uncontrolled airports.”

The warning continued, noting that airports could expect peak traffic and heavy traffic at the smaller airports. The FAA added that special security, such as temporary flight restrictions and two-way radio communications, may also be implemented during the total solar eclipse.

Moreover, the FAA warned: “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.”

Route of the total solar eclipse

The eclipse will start in the Pacific, then cross into Mexico before cutting through Texas on a northeasterly path. It will head through 15 states before crossing over into Canada and the North Atlantic. While many people are going out of their way to experience the total solar eclipse, its totality will last up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds in some places. Meanwhile, the last time totality crossed the US was in 2017, when the totality lasted 2.5 minutes.

Besides being an exciting celestial event, with many traveling to experience it, it is also the last of its kind until 2045.