Aircraft engine dust ingestion at global airports

9 July 2024

Desert dust poses a hazard to aircraft via degradation of engine components. This has financial implications for the aviation industry and results in increased fuel burn with climate impacts. Here the authors quantify dust ingestion by aircraft engines at airports worldwide. They find Dubai and Delhi in summer are among the dustiest airports, where substantial engine degradation would occur after 1000 flights. Dust ingestion can be reduced by changing take-off times and the altitude of holding patterns.

Please also read the press release by University of Reading.

Contact: Claire L. Ryder (c.l.ryder@reading.ac.uk)