Nearly 50 flights canceled Tuesday as Phoenix nears 120-degree day

Zachary Hansen | The Republic | azcentral.com

The extreme heat forecast for Phoenix on Tuesday now has caused the cancellation of nearly 50 American Airlines regional airline flights out of Sky Harbor International Airport.

According to a statement from American Airlines, the American Eagle regional flights use the Bombardier CRJ aircraft, which has a maximum operating temperature of 118 degrees. Tuesday's forecast for Phoenix includes a high of 120 degrees, and the flights that are affected were to take off between 3 and 6 p.m.

Larger jets that fly out of Sky Harbor have higher maximum operating temperatures: Boeing, 126 degrees, and Airbus, 127 degrees, American Airlines said in a press release. Aircraft made from those manufacturers dominate the industry and are commonly flown by airlines that serve Phoenix.

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Customers affected by the regional jet flights should contact American Airlines for rebooking options or to request a refund.

No other airlines have reported cancellations for Tuesday. American said it expects no cancellations on Wednesday because the high temperature is forecast at 116.

Earlier Monday, the airline had announced cancellation of 20 flights, including some on Monday, when the temperature reached 118.

American Airlines said the flights generally are scheduled to depart or arrive in Phoenix Tuesday between 3 and 6 p.m., when the highest daytime temperatures typically are reached.

Extreme heat affects a plane's ability to take off. Hot air is less dense than cold air, and the hotter the temperature, the more speed a plane needs to lift off. A runway might not be long enough to allow a plane to achieve the needed speed.

The flight changes would be free of charge, the airline said.

This is reminiscent of Phoenix's record-setting high temperature of 122 degrees on June 26, 1990, which grounded some airlines for the day. Larger jets, such as Airbus and Boeing, have bigger engines and aren't expected to be grounded by this week's heat.

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