Will the solar eclipse ground flights?
The solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August will trigger a dramatic change in light conditions across much of Spain. For a few minutes, in areas within the path of totality, the day will practically turn into night. It is an unusual situation that may raise a question for anyone planning to travel that day: can you fly in a plane during a solar eclipse?
The short answer is yes. The eclipse does not in itself mean commercial flights will be suspended, nor does it force airports to close. Passenger aircraft routinely operate under instrument flight rules (IFR), which allow crews to carry out much of their navigation without relying exclusively on external visual references. Aviation regulations draw a clear distinction between flights conducted under visual flight rules and those following instrument rules.
So, anyone with a plane ticket for 12 August should not expect their flight to be cancelled simply because of the eclipse. As on any other day, a specific operation could be affected by weather, operational incidents or temporary airspace restrictions.
What about smaller aircraft and private pilots?
The situation is different for flights operating under visual flight rules (VFR). In these operations, the pilot must maintain minimum visibility conditions and keep sufficient visual references during the flight. Regulations set out specific visibility requirements for these operations.
During the eclipse, particularly near the path of totality, light levels can drop very quickly. This can make it harder to see the terrain, other aircraft or certain obstacles. If the reduction in visibility were to prevent compliance with the required minimums, a VFR operation would have to be modified, abandoned or not attempted at all. The decision will depend on the specific conditions of each flight and each airfield.
Airspace restrictions and NOTAM warnings
Temporary restrictions may indeed be introduced in certain areas, especially given the anticipated increase in activities linked to observing the eclipse. The uniqueness of the event could boost the number of general aviation flights, sightseeing trips, helicopters used for photography or filming, balloons, drones and other special operations. These circumstances can lead to aeronautical notices, known as NOTAMs, containing information relevant to pilots about restrictions, hazards or temporary changes that may affect an operation.
Spain’s aviation safety agency (AESA) has called for particular attention to operations taking place at low altitude during the eclipse. The drop in light levels can reduce contrast and make it harder to spot obstacles such as cables, especially on flights closer to the ground. There is also the fact that various activities may converge at the same time in certain areas as people gather to observe, photograph or study the eclipse.
A rare experience for passengers
For passengers, being on board a plane during the eclipse could turn into an unusual experience. However, looking directly at the Sun remains dangerous from inside an aircraft.
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