The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA / RPLL / MNL) in Manila, Philippines, is taking a proactive approach to safety during thunderstorms. They’ve implemented a procedure called “Red Lightning Alerts” which introduces a temporary pause in all flight and ground operations at the airport whenever lightning activity is detected within a predefined radius surrounding the airfield.
This precautionary measure ensures the safety of everyone on the ground, including passengers waiting to board, airline crew servicing the aircraft, and ground personnel responsible for operations and maintenance. By halting all activity during these periods of heightened risk, the NAIA minimizes the chance of injuries due to lightning strikes and safeguards multi-million dollar airplanes from potential damage.
Taking a moment to prioritize safety during thunderstorms might cause short delays, but it’s a small price to pay compared to the potential consequences of ignoring the risks. Lightning strikes can be incredibly dangerous, with the potential to cause serious injuries or even death to people caught outdoors. In addition, a direct strike on an airplane can disrupt critical electrical systems or even cause fires, putting the safety of everyone on board at risk. The Red Lightning Alerts program at NAIA effectively mitigates these threats, prioritizing the well-being of passengers, personnel, and aircraft.
Safety First During Electrical Storms
During severe weather with frequent lightning strikes, NAIA’s Airport Ground Operations and Safety Division springs into action. They trigger a Red Lightning Alert, essentially pressing pause on all airport operations. This suspension aims to prevent potential dangers associated with lightning strikes, including:
- Injuries to ground crew performing essential tasks on the airfield, such as refueling planes, loading and unloading cargo, conducting pre-flight inspections, or towing aircraft. Lightning strikes can cause serious electrical shock, burns, or even cardiac arrest. Ground crew members wearing protective gear can mitigate some risks, but a Red Lightning Alert ensures they are not put in a dangerous situation in the first place.
- Damage to aircraft caused by direct lightning strikes can be extensive and range from minor disruptions to catastrophic consequences. A lightning strike can damage a plane’s communication and navigation systems, flight controls, or even its engines. In the worst-case scenario, a strike can trigger an in-flight fire or even cause a structural failure. The robust metallic frame of an airplane offers some protection by conducting the electrical current around the exterior of the fuselage. However, the high-intensity energy of a lightning strike can still cause significant damage to exposed antennas, sensors, and other external components. Furthermore, lightning strikes can also create electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) that can interfere with onboard avionics and potentially lead to malfunctions or even complete system failures. By grounding all aircraft during Red Lightning Alerts, NAIA safeguards these valuable assets and minimizes the risk of flight disruptions or accidents caused by lightning strikes.
While the airport itself has lightning arresters and designated shelters in place to mitigate risks, the Red Lightning Alerts add an extra layer of protection for everyone on the ground. Lightning arresters are designed to divert the current from a lightning strike safely away from buildings and equipment. Designated shelters, typically small, sturdy structures located at strategic points around the airfield, provide a temporary haven for ground crew to wait out the storm. However, these measures alone cannot guarantee complete safety. A Red Lightning Alert ensures that ground crew are not required to be outside during periods of heightened risk, eliminating the possibility of a direct strike or exposure to dangerous electrical currents that can travel through the ground.
Temporary Delays for Enhanced Safety
The Red Lightning Alerts may cause flight delays, which can be frustrating for passengers with tight connections or schedules. However, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) — the government institution that oversees the operations of the NAIA — prioritizes safety above all else.
The MIAA understands the inconvenience caused by delays, but they firmly believe that waiting for a short period during a lightning storm is far preferable to the potential dangers of continuing operations. The safety of passengers, crew, and ground personnel is paramount. The airport authority strives to keep passengers informed throughout the delay and works diligently to resume normal operations as quickly and efficiently as possible once the lightning threat has subsided. Passengers can utilize this downtime to relax in the terminal, catch up on work or emails using the airport’s Wi-Fi, or grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants available. The MIAA also encourages passengers to check with their airlines for the latest flight information and to be patient and understanding during these temporary disruptions.
Data Highlights Importance of Red Lightning Alerts
The effectiveness of Red Lightning Alerts is evident when you consider the data. According to the monitoring done by AvGeekPH, there were a total of 453 minutes (or 7 hours and 33 minutes) of Red Lightning Alerts at NAIA for the month of May 2024 alone. These proactive measures, though causing temporary delays, demonstrate the airport’s commitment to a safe environment for everyone involved in air travel.
Yellow Lightning Alerts
A Yellow Lightning Alert at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) would likely signal a situation where lightning is present, but the immediate threat level is lower compared to a Red Lightning Alert. This could mean that lightning strikes are detected farther away from the airfield, or the frequency of strikes is significantly less than what triggers a full suspension of operations.
Under a Yellow Alert, NAIA wouldn’t necessarily grind to a halt. Instead, the focus would likely shift to heightened awareness and increased caution. Here’s how this might play out:
- Restricted Ground Activities:
Certain tasks deemed particularly risky during lightning, such as refueling aircraft or conducting pre-flight inspections on external components, might be temporarily suspended. The ground crew could be instructed to prioritize tasks that can be completed in sheltered areas or postpone non-essential activities until the alert is lifted. - Weather Monitoring:
Airport authorities would likely intensify their monitoring of weather conditions. This could involve increased communication with meteorological agencies, utilizing on-site weather monitoring equipment more frequently, and keeping personnel updated on the latest developments. - Preparation for Escalation:
While operations continue, a Yellow Alert likely acts as a trigger for preparation. Resources and personnel might be put on standby in case the weather worsens and a Red Alert becomes necessary.
The overall goal of a Yellow Lightning Alert is to strike a balance between maintaining airport operations and ensuring safety. By implementing increased caution and close monitoring, the NAIA aims to mitigate potential risks associated with lightning strikes while minimizing disruptions to air travel. However, if the lightning activity intensifies or moves closer to the airport, a Yellow Lightning Alert can quickly escalate to a Red Lightning Alert, leading to a full suspension of operations.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Red Lightning Alerts showcase a commitment to safety that goes above and beyond. While some delays might occur, passengers can be confident that NAIA prioritizes their well-being and the safe operation of all flights.