Monday’s solar eclipse brought unexpected disruptions for some of the country’s smaller airports. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that arriving flights at airports in areas from Burlington, Vermont, to southern Illinois were briefly halted on Monday morning in anticipation of the total eclipse. While such disruptions are typically caused by weather or heavy traffic at major city hubs, the high demand for prime eclipse-viewing spots led to congestion at smaller airports across the country. NASA stated that the best views of the eclipse in the U.S. extended from Texas through Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, all the way to northwestern New York and Maine.
Challenges Faced by Airports
The Federal Aviation Administration’s traffic adjustments were crucial in helping airports manage the influx of flights and avoid parking jams on the ground. One example of this was Alyssa Connell, head of operations at the Southern Illinois Airport in Murphysboro, Illinois, who mentioned that they had to close the runway to accommodate the numerous planes. The airport, equipped with three runways, had reached their maximum capacity with 230 small propeller aircraft and approximately 45 larger jets and turboprops.
In Vermont, Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport saw a significant increase in traffic due to the eclipse. Dave Carman, the deputy director of aviation operations, stated that the airport was expecting between 100 and 130 general aviation planes, along with some scheduled commercial passenger jet traffic. This surge in flights made it the busiest day for the airport in terms of air traffic.
FAA Preparations and Airline Responses
The FAA had acknowledged the eclipse as a major event during its planning call at the command center in Warrenton, Virginia. This event was placed in the same category as presidential travel, severe weather conditions, and major sports and entertainment events. Several airlines, including Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, made special arrangements to cater to eclipse viewers. Delta Air Lines offered special eclipse flights from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Detroit and from Austin, Texas, to Detroit. United Airlines noted a considerable increase in bookings to San Antonio, Cleveland, and Little Rock, Arkansas, around the eclipse period compared to the previous year.
The solar eclipse was not only a spectacle for viewers but also served as a boon for hotels, house rentals, and various businesses in the tourist areas. The surge in tourists due to the eclipse offered economic advantages to the local businesses in these regions as visitors flocked to witness the rare celestial event.
While the solar eclipse was a momentous occasion for sky gazers, it presented unique challenges and opportunities for small airports and the aviation industry as a whole. The significant increase in flights and air traffic due to the eclipse highlighted the importance of effective planning and coordination to ensure the smooth operation of airports during such events.