IMPACT OF VISIBILITY LIMITING WEATHER ELEMENTS ON FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN NIGERIA AIRPORTS
INTRODUCTION
As social beings, humans constantly require resources and encounter limitations in accessing them. Transportation serves as a crucial means to overcome spatial constraints in fulfilling these needs. Fortunately, it provides an effective solution (Taaffe, Morrill, & Gould, 1985). Transportation is an essential activity, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and information across locations. Historically, societies have regarded it as a fundamental pillar of development (Rodrigue & Claude, 2013). Without transportation, human activities would be severely restricted. Its core purpose is to enable the transfer of passengers, cargo, or data from one location to another while simultaneously adding value to them (Rodrigue & Claude, 2013). In essence, transportation is not an end in itself but a means to serve broader economic and social functions (Taaffe, Morrill, & Gould, 1985).
Rodrigue (2017) defines transportability as the ease with which passengers, freight, or information can move between locations. This is influenced by transportation costs and the characteristics of the goods being transported, such as fragility, perishability, and value. Additionally, legal restrictions, tariffs, and border regulations also impact transportability. When transportability is high, distance becomes less of a barrier (Harrington, 1999). Without transportation, the development of nations, regions, and global economies would face significant challenges, as it plays a crucial role in physical and economic growth (Oyesiku, 2002).
Industries that rely on rapid delivery, such as those dealing with perishable goods like fish, tomatoes, and vegetables, depend on efficient transportation networks. It also facilitates market expansion by enabling the distribution of goods to new locations, fostering economic growth. The advancement of transportation technology has enhanced time utility, ensuring the swift movement of products.
Currently, transportation is categorized into three main types: land (road and rail), water, and air transport (Rodrigue & Claude, 2013). Road transport involves the movement of goods and people over highways and streets. It requires less capital investment compared to rail or air transport (Rodrigue & Claude, 2013). Additionally, road transport offers door-to-door services and is ideal for short-distance travel due to its flexibility. However, it may not be suitable for long distances or bulk cargo due to irregularities, potential breakdowns, and lack of a structured organization, making it less reliable.
Rail transport, on the other hand, utilizes wheeled carriages on rail tracks for the movement of people and goods. It plays a pivotal role in international trade and economic growth (Truu, n.d.). Compared to road transport, railways are faster and less affected by adverse weather conditions such as rain and fog. Rail transport is cost-effective, reliable, and provides protection against environmental elements like sun, wind, and dust, making it ideal for heavy and bulky goods (Taaffe, Morrill, & Gould, 1985). However, government monopoly and the lack of door-to-door service remain significant drawbacks.
Water transport involves moving people and goods across seas, rivers, and other water bodies. Primarily used for non-perishable cargo, it serves commercial, recreational, and military purposes (Black, 2003). Its key advantages include the ability to transport large and heavy goods at a relatively low cost since water bodies exist naturally and require minimal infrastructure investment. However, its slow speed makes it less suitable for time-sensitive transportation. Moreover, changing river courses can lead to delays and rerouting, making it less favorable for small businesses (Kaukiainen, 2012).
Air transport is the fastest mode of transportation (Black, 2003). It is particularly advantageous for long-distance travel due to its speed and convenience. Other benefits include its strategic significance, independence from geographical barriers such as mountains and rivers, and its use in agricultural applications, including aerial pesticide spraying. It is also vital for emergency response during natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes (Zubova & Moshtagh, 2018). However, air transport is costly, vulnerable to risks such as hijacking and accidents, and heavily dependent on weather conditions. This study focuses on how adverse weather conditions affecting visibility impact flight operations.
According to Grant (2007), the history of aviation spans over 200 years, dating back to the Montgolfier brothers’ hot-air balloon. Among all transport modes, aviation was the first to strive for complete all-weather functionality (Sasse & Hauf, 2003). Given its reliance on clear atmospheric conditions, visibility plays a critical role in aviation and should not be underestimated. Nevertheless, commercial air travel remains one of the safest transportation options due to the industry’s swift response to accidents and continuous safety improvements (Herrera & Vasigh, 2009).
Since aviation is conducted in an open environment, weather significantly impacts flight operations (Sasse & Hauf, 2003). Weather conditions affect not only the safety but also the overall efficiency of airline operations. Various airport activities, such as aircraft fueling, maintenance, baggage handling, and catering, depend on favorable weather conditions (Markovic, Hauf, Röhner, & Spehr, 2008). Adverse weather can reduce airport operational capacity, leading to flight delays, diversions, or cancellations (Sasse & Hauf, 2003).
Aircraft operate within the Earth’s atmosphere, which extends approximately 100 km above mean sea level (MSL). The atmosphere comprises gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and trace elements like ozone and water vapor (Aremu, 2020). Several atmospheric factors, including temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover, influence flight visibility (Oliver, 1997). Weather-related disruptions in aviation include thunderstorms, haze, precipitation, and strong winds. According to Kulesa, Brodus, Jackson, & Pelton (2013), weather accounts for approximately 70% of all flight delays and 23% of aviation accidents. Notably, the same weather phenomenon may impact flights differently depending on the time and location of operation, meaning that one flight may be affected while another, taking off just minutes later, remains unaffected.
Regardless of the transportation mode—land, water, or air—visibility remains a crucial factor. Hughes (1982) identifies visibility as the most significant weather parameter influencing aviation operations. Visibility, in general terms, refers to the ability to clearly perceive an object from a given distance. When visibility is reduced, the classification is as follows:
- Haze – visibility exceeding one kilometer.
- Thick mist – visibility around one kilometer.
- Fog – visibility of less than one kilometer.
Aremu (2020) defines visibility as the clarity of the atmosphere, which determines how far an object can be seen without obstruction. Visibility varies based on factors such as the observer’s height, the presence of airborne particles, and the time of day. The Glossary of Meteorology (2009) describes visibility as the distance at which an object can be distinctly observed. This measurement is crucial in surface meteorological observations and Meteorological Aerodrome Reports (METAR), where it is recorded in meters. Meteorological visibility indicates air transparency, and in aeronautical terms, it refers to the maximum distance at which a black object of defined dimensions can be seen against a bright background (Seinfeld, Pandis, & Spyros, 2006). Additionally, visibility is measured by the optimal distance at which a light source of 1000 candelas can be identified against a dark background (Seinfeld et al., 2006).
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