The impact of weather conditions on the organization of a flight

The flawless organization of a private jet flight relies on multiple factors. Weather conditions upon departure and arrival on the day of the trip can often cause changes to the flight schedule. What weather-related factors can alter the smooth unfolding of a flight? 

Fog:

For commercial or business aviation, the fog is often an obstacle for a flawless flight. It reduces visibility, and based on the aircraft or airport's equipment, can delay the departure or arrival of a flight as minimum visibility is required to take off or to land.  In some cases, the fog can also push pilots to divert the flight to a different airport.

From an operational standpoint, the crew checks the weather conditions before a flight at both airports of departure and arrival. The captain then analyses all weather parameters and decides to perform or delay the flight. In the event heavy fog makes it impossible to access the arrival airport, the captain can request to change course to an alternate airport. 

Some airports have VFR (Visual Flight Rules) approach rules. On these specific terrains, the fog can often lead to a flight cancellation or a redirection to an alternate airport.

Our team oversees each mission and can reorganize transfers or offer alternative solutions to minimize the impact of the delay. 

Ice: 

During winter and with temperatures below zero, the captain can request an aircraft deicing. This operation is essential to passengers and crew safety. Its cost can vary according to the aircraft type, the number and quantity of fluids applied, and the prices set by the airport. The operation can sometimes cause schedule delays due to traffic and the number of deicing requests on the day of the flight. 

Thunderstorms:

Thunderstorms and lightning are impressive meteorological phenomena that can usually be anticipated by crews. Before departure, the operations can revise the flight plan and modify the itinerary to avoid these storm cells. Airports can also halt flight movements and cause departures or arrival delays. 

Wind:

Wind direction can also impact flight time. Flight time can decrease with tailwinds and increase with headwinds. On some airports with a specific approach (Mountains or coastal airports) or short runways such as Saint-Tropez, the wind can impact the flight operations. Our team is available to offer the optimal solution and avoid a disruption of the flight.  

Private Jet Charter IBC Aviation:

Our teams are available 24/7 to help you select the private jet adapted to your needs and your itinerary. Contact our Paris Office at +33 1 41 69 88, Geneva Office at +41 22 880 28 88 or send us an email at .

Photo credit: Shutterstock