Airlines prepare for blizzard of climate challenges

If there are any beneficiaries of climate change in aviation, it may be the passengers flying from New York to London. Climate change is strengthening and shifting the jet stream that propels aeroplanes across the north Atlantic, bringing a hop from JFK to Heathrow closer to 5 hours. But they may be the only winners: on every other measure it promises bumpier rides for airlines, passengers and investors. A recent report from Eurocontrol laid out the effects of climate change, each challenging to aviation in a different way. Higher temperatures will make it harder for aircraft to take off; more frequent and more intense storms will make flying less predictable and less pleasant; while rising sea levels can flood runways in coastal airports, such as in Barcelona and Hong Kong. <br/>