July 12th is the day where we recognize the International day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, a global call to action to reduce the impacts of these storms on human health, the environment, and sustainable development. It is an opportunity to highlight the ways sand and dust storms (SDS) affect the aviation sector and what ICAO is doing to help manage and mitigate these risks.
SDS occur when strong winds lift loose sand and dust from dry surfaces into the atmosphere, a process particularly common in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions. While SDS are a natural phenomenon, they are increasingly intensified by anthropogenic factors like climate change, unsustainable land use, and poor water management. They are also intrinsically linked to desertification and drought, both of which contribute to land degradation and increase the likelihood of such storms. The international aviation sector’s efforts to prevent and mitigate desertification and drought were highlighted in this article published on the occasion of the Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June 2025.
The consequences of SDS are far-reaching. These storms pose serious risks to human health, exacerbate food insecurity, and threaten livelihoods. SDS also have a severe impact on the environment, where they exacerbate soil erosion, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and air pollution. While regions such as North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central and East Asia are most directly affected, dust particles can travel thousands of kilometers, impacting areas far from their point of origin.
How do sand and dust storms affect aviation operations and safety?
In aviation, SDS present operational and safety challenges across all phases of flight; airport operations, takeoffs, landings, and even cruising at high altitudes can be disrupted. These storms are especially difficult to manage due to their rapid development and the difficulty of accurate forecasting.
Although a study from Australia showed a decline in SDS-related aviation accidents between 1969 and 2010, there are still risks to flight safety. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the most common and dangerous consequence of SDS is reduced visibility, which can make aircraft movement difficult, dangerous, or even impossible. In addition, sand and dust can damage aircraft surfaces and systems, accelerate engine wear, and reduce fuel efficiency, all of which carry both environmental and economic consequences. More critically, sand and dust particles in aircraft engines can, in extreme cases, result in complete engine failure. Static charge buildup from airborne sand particles may also interfere with aircraft instruments and disrupt communication. On the ground, SDS can result in increased soil erosion around aprons and runways, water shortages, disruptions to operations, sand dune encroachment, and health risks to ground personnel.
To minimize risk, aircrafts are often grounded during storms and low-visibility procedures are implemented. While this is necessary for safety, these actions can lead to delayed, rerouted, or cancelled flights, creating further economic impacts and passenger inconvenience.
Despite the severity and frequency of SDS events, their impacts on aviation remain underrecognized in the broader aviation safety and environmental management discourse. Given that dust haze storms are among the most abundant aerosols globally, it is crucial that the aviation community gives greater attention to this challenge and explores new mitigation and adaptation measures.
Adapting aviation to sand and dust storms
ICAO incorporates SDS into its broader climate adaptation efforts, recognizing them as a direct consequence of desertification and a growing risk to aviation. A key reference for this work is the 2018 Climate Adaptation Synthesis Report, which was developed by the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), and synthesizes existing information on the range of projected climate impacts on the aviation sector. The Report aims to help better understand the risks faced by airports, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), airlines, and other aviation infrastructure.
The Report also recommends a number of adaptation measures, such as
- Building windbreaks
- Planting drought-resistant vegetation that does not attract wildlife
- Using recycled water for irrigation.
Additionally, the Report identifies significant knowledge gaps related to the specific impacts of SDS on aviation operations and infrastructure. Building on this, the ICAO CAEP has recently updated the Climate Adaptation Synthesis Report, with a new version expected to be published soon on its website. As part of that process, ICAO conducted a global survey in 2024 among States and aviation stakeholders, collecting 259 responses. The results revealed that the number of respondents experiencing climate-related impacts has roughly tripled since 2018.
When respondents were asked specifically about the impacts of desertification, the most frequently cited concerns were water shortage and the increased frequency of SDS, both of which present serious challenges to aviation operations. Among those surveyed, 124 indicated that they are already feeling the effects of desertification or expect to be affected in the near future. However, regional responses vary significantly as shown below.
These findings reflect a growing awareness of SDS-related risks across the aviation sector and highlight the need for more comprehensive and regionally tailored adaptation strategies. Continued efforts to build a stronger evidence base will be essential to guiding effective policy and operational responses.
Strengthening global collaboration on sand and dust storms
Alongside our internal adaptation work, ICAO also collaborates with other United Nations agencies through the UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms. In partnership with organizations like the WMO and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), ICAO brings aviation-specific expertise to global efforts focused on early warning systems, shared data platforms, and coordinated policy guidance. This cooperation ensures that the unique operational and safety concerns of the aviation industry are integrated into broader UN efforts, reinforcing a collective approach to building global resilience against SDS.
Conclusion: Building a resilient aviation sector
As the frequency and severity of sand and dust storms grow due to climate and land-use pressures, it is essential that the global aviation community strengthens its preparedness and resilience. Enhancing cooperation with meteorological services, investing in early warning systems, and building capacity in affected regions are critical steps toward ensuring safe, sustainable, and resilient air transport systems.
By working together, we can ensure a future in which sand and dust storms no longer pose a significant threat to aviation, human health, or sustainable development.
