British Airways Removes 20 Passengers from Flight at Florence Airport

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A British Airways flight at Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport asked 20 passengers to leave before departure after hot weather made the aircraft too heavy to take off. The flight was scheduled to fly to London City Airport on August 11. Ground staff and crew cited safety rules that limit how much weight an aircraft can carry when temperatures are high and runway length is short.

The aircraft, an Embraer 190, was operating in about 35°C heat. In those conditions, the air is thinner, which reduces lift and engine performance. To meet performance limits and ensure a safe takeoff, the airline said the overall weight had to be cut. At Florence, which has a short runway compared with major hubs, those limits are tighter than usual.

Crew told passengers the plane needed more fuel to reach cruising altitude in the heat, which added weight. That meant the airline had to reduce the number of people on board. According to passengers, staff initially asked for more volunteers than were ultimately required, but 20 were selected to leave so the flight could continue within safe limits.

British Airways apologized to customers affected by the change. The airline said the decision was made for safety and that those who left the aircraft were rebooked on later services. Hotel rooms and ground transport were offered to help them complete their trips with as little disruption as possible.

Weight restrictions during heat waves are a known issue in aviation, especially at airports with shorter runways or at higher elevations. When air density drops, aircraft need more runway to take off. If the runway available is limited, airlines may reduce weight by offloading cargo or asking some passengers to take a different flight. These decisions are made under standard operating procedures that prioritize safety.

No injuries were reported and there was no in-flight emergency. The disruption happened on the ground, before pushback and takeoff. While frustrating for travelers, the steps taken are common in extreme weather and are meant to keep operations within the aircraft’s certified limits. The incident highlights how hot summer conditions can affect flight schedules and capacity, particularly at smaller airfields.

Passengers who were moved to later flights were told the carrier would keep them updated about new departure times. The airline said teams at the airport and customer service centers worked to get people to their destinations as soon as possible.