颱風天能不能飛？到底是誰說了算？
- 航空公司：決定航班是否放行
航空公司會根據颱風預報、機場風況、目的地天氣、備降機場狀況及燃油需求，評估航班是否適合執行。由於是航空公司自行決定，也因此可能會有 A 航空航班正常、B 航空航班取消的情況。航空公司負責這項工作的人員稱為「簽派員」（Dispatcher）。他們會評估航班風險，決定是否放行，也會視天氣變化取消、延後或調整航班。延伸閱讀：《知識》地面上的飛行員：航空公司簽派員介紹 - 機長：飛行當下是否適合起飛或降落
機長如果認為當下條件不適合安全飛行，就必須依規定停止或中止相關飛航作業。以颱風天降落為例，機長會考量實際風向、風速、陣風、跑道狀況及飛機的操作限制，判斷能否安全降落。如果飛機接近跑道時，發現風況不適合降落，就可以執行「重飛」（Go-around），也就是重新爬升，再評估是否重新進場。如果天氣持續不佳，機組人員也可能選擇轉降其它機場，而不是不斷嘗試降落。飛機在空中時，機組人員也能與航空公司的簽派單位交換最新資訊，例如目的地天氣、其它航班的重飛情況，以及備降機場的天氣，作為後續決策的參考。不過，在最後進場與降落階段，是否繼續降落或重飛，仍須由機長依當下情況判斷。 - 機場：維護地面設施
機場公司負責機場設施與地面作業安全。例如，強風可能影響空橋的穩定性及行李的運送，因此機場會依風速採取防護、停止使用空橋或地勤作業等。這些措施主要是保護地面設備與工作人員。 - 航管單位：安排飛機起降
航管單位則負責安排飛機的進場順序、飛行間隔與地面移動。在颱風期間航班容易延誤、重飛或轉降，更需要航管有秩序地引導飛機，維持整體飛航安全。延伸閱讀：《知識》空中交通管制(Air Traffic Control)介紹
波音、空中巴士常見機型，能承受多大的側風？
- 波音 737-800：約 33 節
- 波音 777：約 38–40 節
- 波音 787：約 37–40 節
- 空中巴士 A320：約 38 節
- 空中巴士 A330：約 40 節
- 空中巴士 A350：約 40 節
廣體客機（如 A330、A350、B777、B787）相對於窄體客機（如 A320、B737），在機型設計能承受更大的側風，因此訂機票時如果可以選擇機型，建議優先選擇廣體客機。
除了風，能見度也會影響降落。颱風帶來的強降雨、低雲與濃霧，也可能讓飛行員看不清楚跑道。這時，飛機需要依靠儀器降落系統（ILS，Instrument Landing System）協助進場。延伸閱讀：ILS 儀器降落系統
ILS 的操作類別包括 CAT I、CAT II 與 CAT III。一般而言，類別越高，就能在更低的能見度與雲底條件下執行進場與降落程序。是否能使用 ILS 要確認：
- 飛機具備相應的設備與能力
- 機場跑道、燈光及相關設施符合要求
- 機組人員具有相應資格
- 航空公司已取得相關核准，且當下條件符合操作規定
如何使用 Windy.com 追蹤颱風？ECMWF、UKM、JMA 是什麼？
Windy.com 是一個天氣資訊視覺化平台，可以把不同氣象機構提供的預報資料，呈現在地圖上。它本身不是主要的氣象預報機構，而是整合多種預報模式與天氣資料，讓使用者更容易比較不同預測結果。Windy.com 提供免費的颱風追蹤功能，不需要註冊就能使用。
- 開啟 Windy.com
- 在圖層選單中尋找「Hurricane Tracker」（颱風追蹤）
- 選擇想追蹤的熱帶氣旋
- 查看過去的移動路徑，以及預報中的未來路徑
- ECMWF：歐洲中期天氣預報中心（European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts）的數值預報模式，可用來觀察颱風可能的移動趨勢。
- JMA：日本氣象廳（Japan Meteorological Agency）的數值預報資料，可搭配日本氣象廳的官方颱風資訊參考
- UKM：英國氣象局（UK Met Office）的數值預報模式，提供另一種預測結果，方便交叉比較。
如何用 Windy.com 查看機場風況，評估航班可能受到的影響？
除了追蹤颱風路徑，我們也可以透過 Windy.com 查看機場的天氣狀況。點選機場圖示後，地圖上就會顯示各機場的位置與相關天氣資訊。
以台灣桃園國際機場（代碼 RCTP）為例，機場資訊會顯示以下四種天氣分類：
- VFR（Visual Flight Rules）：能見度與雲底條件良好。
- MVFR（Marginal Visual Flight Rules）：能見度或雲底條件稍差。
- IFR（Instrument Flight Rules）：能見度或雲底條件較差。
- LIFR（Low Instrument Flight Rules）：能見度或雲底條件非常差。
這些標示可以幫助我們快速了解機場的天氣狀況。例如，桃園機場顯示 VFR，代表當時的能見度與雲底條件較好，符合目視飛行的天氣標準。
不過，這不代表飛機實際上就是採用目視飛行方式。客機平時就會使用儀器飛行規則（IFR）執行飛行任務，因此，即使機場顯示 IFR，也不代表航班一定會停飛，仍須視實際天氣、飛機設備及機場操作條件而定。延伸閱讀：淺談目視飛行 (VFR) 及儀器飛行 (IFR)
接下來，看機場的實際天氣。METAR（METeorological Aerodrome Report）是機場定期發布的天氣報告，內容有風向、風速、能見度、雲況等，可以當作機場此刻的天氣快照。
在 Windy 的 METAR 分頁裡，還有一個「Runways」（跑道）區塊，它幫你算好了每條跑道目前的風況。桃園機場有兩條平行跑道，每條跑道有兩個方向，所以畫面上會列出 05L、05R、23L、23R 四個編號。每個跑道編號後面會顯示兩個數字：第一個是跑道方向的風分量（迎面風或順風），第二個是側風分量。以下圖為例，05 跑道方向的風速為 4 節（4 kt），側風為 11 節（11 kt）。如果機場有陣風，也會寫在 METAR 裡。例如報告寫著「Wind 300° 11kt, gusting 25kt」，意思是風從 300 度（西北偏西）吹來，平均風速 11 節，陣風最高 25 節。延伸閱讀：《知識》機場跑道數字及各種標誌代表的意思
利用 Flightradar24 查看颱風天的航班動態
我們也可以利用 Flightradar24 航班追蹤工具，查看颱風當天的航班動態，觀察是否有飛機順利起飛或降落。透過即時航班資訊，可以更直觀地了解颱風期間的飛航狀況。延伸閱讀：《知識》最熱門的飛機動態追蹤服務 - Flightradar24
旅途平安順飛！
Flying During a Typhoon: Will Your Flight Be Affected?
Will flights operate as usual during a typhoon? Can planes still take off and land safely?
You have been looking forward to your trip abroad, but a typhoon is approaching just before departure. It is natural to feel worried. Many travelers have the same questions: Will my flight take off and land as scheduled?
The answer does not depend on the typhoon's strength alone. It also depends on the airport's wind direction, wind speed, gusts, and visibility at the time of takeoff or landing.
In this article, I will explain in simple terms who decides whether a flight can operate during a typhoon, the crosswind limits of common Boeing and Airbus aircraft, and how to use the free tool Windy.com to track typhoon paths and check airport weather before your trip.
Who Decides Whether Flights Can Operate During a Typhoon?
Let's start with the key point: Taiwan does not have a single rule that automatically cancels all flights based on a typhoon's strength. Whether a flight operates depends largely on the airline's decision, with the airline, captain, airport, and air traffic control each playing different roles.
Airline: Decides whether to release a flight
Airlines assess typhoon forecasts, airport wind conditions, weather at the destination, alternate airport conditions, and fuel requirements to determine whether a flight can operate safely.
Since airlines make their own operational decisions, one airline may operate its flights as scheduled while another cancels flights on the same day.
The airline staff responsible for this work are called dispatchers. They assess flight risks and decide whether a flight can be released. They may also cancel, delay, or adjust flights as weather conditions change.
Captain: Decides whether it is safe to take off or land
If the captain determines that conditions are unsuitable for safe flight, the relevant flight operations must be stopped or discontinued as required.
During a typhoon, the captain considers the actual wind direction, wind speed, gusts, runway conditions, and aircraft operating limits before deciding whether it is safe to land.
If conditions become unsuitable as the aircraft approaches the runway, the captain can perform a go-around. This means climbing back into the air and assessing whether another approach is possible.
If the weather remains poor, the crew may divert to another airport rather than repeatedly attempt to land.
While the aircraft is airborne, the crew can also exchange updated information with the airline's dispatch team, including destination weather, go-arounds by other flights, and conditions at alternate airports.
However, during the final approach and landing, the captain must make the decision to continue or go around based on the actual conditions.
Airport: Maintains ground facilities and operations
The airport operator is responsible for airport facilities and ground safety. For example, strong winds may affect passenger boarding bridges and baggage handling.
Depending on wind conditions, the airport may take protective measures or suspend the use of boarding bridges and certain ground operations. These measures help protect ground equipment and staff.
Air Traffic Control (ATC): Manages aircraft movements
Air traffic control manages approach sequences, aircraft separation, and ground movements.
During a typhoon, flights may be delayed, go around, or divert to other airports. ATC plays an important role in coordinating aircraft movements and maintaining overall flight safety.
In general, arriving flights may be more affected than departing flights during a typhoon.
A departing flight can remain on the ground and wait for the weather to improve. An arriving flight, however, is already airborne and must consider its remaining fuel and the weather at its destination. If necessary, the crew may need to hold, go around, or divert to another airport.
Strong crosswinds and sudden gusts can also make landing more difficult. As a result, arriving flights may experience more go-arounds, diversions, or delays during a typhoon.
How Much Crosswind Can Common Boeing and Airbus Aircraft Handle?
During takeoff and landing, pilots generally prefer a headwind, which blows toward the front of the aircraft. A headwind increases the airflow over the wings relative to the ground speed, helping the aircraft generate the required lift at a lower ground speed.
However, the wind does not always blow directly along the runway. When it comes from the side, it creates a crosswind.
The following are commonly cited reference figures for the maximum crosswind capability of popular Boeing and Airbus aircraft. These figures are not the maximum wind force an aircraft structure can withstand. Actual operating limits vary by aircraft variant, weather conditions, and airline procedures.
Boeing 737-800: Approximately 33 knots
Boeing 777: Approximately 38–40 knots
Boeing 787: Approximately 37–40 knots
Airbus A320: Approximately 38 knots
Airbus A330: Approximately 40 knots
Airbus A350: Approximately 40 knots
Note: One knot (kt) is approximately 1.852 kilometers per hour. Therefore, 30–40 knots is about 56–74 km/h.
Wide-body aircraft, such as the A330, A350, B777, and B787, may have different crosswind operating capabilities from narrow-body aircraft, such as the A320 and B737. However, you should not assume that every wide-body aircraft can handle stronger crosswinds than every narrow-body aircraft.
When booking a flight, choosing a wide-body aircraft does not guarantee a safer or more reliable landing in strong winds. The aircraft's specific operating limits and the conditions at the airport are what matter.
Visibility is another important factor. Heavy rain, low clouds, and fog brought by a typhoon can make it difficult for pilots to see the runway. In these conditions, aircraft may use the Instrument Landing System (ILS) to help guide them during the approach.
ILS operations are divided into CAT I, CAT II, and CAT III categories. In general, higher categories allow approaches and landings under lower visibility and cloud-base conditions.
To use a particular ILS category, several requirements must be met:
The aircraft must have the appropriate equipment and capabilities.
The airport runway, lighting, and related facilities must meet the required standards.
The flight crew must hold the necessary qualifications.
The airline must have the relevant authorization, and the current conditions must meet operational requirements.
If any of these requirements are not met, the aircraft cannot use the lower-visibility operating standards associated with that category.
There is a common claim in the aviation industry that some low-cost airlines may not equip every aircraft or qualify every crew for higher-category ILS operations because of cost considerations. However, this should not be assumed to apply to all low-cost airlines. Differences in landing capability must be assessed based on each airline's actual aircraft equipment, crew qualifications, and operating approvals.
How to Track Typhoons with Windy.com: What Are ECMWF, UKM, and JMA?
Windy.com is a weather visualization platform that displays forecast data from different meteorological organizations on a map.
Windy is not itself a primary weather forecasting agency. Instead, it brings together different forecast models and weather data, allowing users to compare predictions more easily.
Windy's typhoon-tracking features are available for free, and you can use the website without registering an account.
How to check a typhoon's path:
Open Windy.com
Look for "Hurricane Tracker" in the map layers or available tools.
Select the tropical cyclone you want to track.
Check its past movement and forecast path.
You can also switch between different forecast models, such as ECMWF, UKM, and JMA, to compare their predictions of the typhoon's path.
ECMWF: The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts model, which helps track the possible movement of a typhoon.
JMA: Weather forecast data from the Japan Meteorological Agency. You can also refer to the official JMA website for typhoon updates.
UKM: The UK Met Office model, which provides another forecast for comparison.
Different models use different numerical methods, so their forecasts may vary. Instead of relying on just one model, it's best to compare the predicted paths from ECMWF, JMA, and UKM.
When multiple models predict a similar path, the forecast is generally more reliable.
How to Check Airport Weather on Windy.com
In addition to tracking a typhoon's path, you can use Windy.com to check weather conditions at an airport.
Select an airport on the map to view its location and related weather information.
For example, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport has the ICAO airport code RCTP. Airport weather displays may use the following four categories:
VFR (Visual Flight Rules): Visibility and cloud-base conditions are generally good.
MVFR (Marginal Visual Flight Rules): Visibility or cloud-base conditions are less favorable.
IFR (Instrument Flight Rules): Visibility or cloud-base conditions are poor.
LIFR (Low Instrument Flight Rules): Visibility or cloud-base conditions are very poor.
These categories provide a quick overview of airport weather conditions. For example, if Taoyuan Airport is marked VFR, visibility and cloud-base conditions generally meet the criteria for visual flight weather.
However, this does not mean that aircraft are necessarily operating under visual flight rules. Commercial airliners normally operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Therefore, an airport marked IFR does not automatically mean flights will be canceled. Actual operations depend on the weather, aircraft equipment, and airport operating conditions.
Next, let's look at the airport's actual weather conditions.
METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) is a routine weather report for an airport. It includes information such as wind direction, wind speed, visibility, and cloud conditions, providing a snapshot of the current weather.
In Windy's METAR tab, there is also a Runways section that shows the current wind conditions for each runway.
Taoyuan International Airport has two parallel runways, each with two directions. That's why you'll see four runway numbers: 05L, 05R, 23L, and 23R.
Two numbers are displayed next to each runway number:
The first shows the wind component along the runway (headwind or tailwind).
The second shows the crosswind component.
For example, the wind component along runway 05 is 4 knots (4 kt), and the crosswind is 11 knots (11 kt).
If there are wind gusts, they will also be included in the METAR report. For example, "Wind 300° 11kt, gusting 25kt" means the wind is coming from 300° (West-Northwest), with an average speed of 11 knots and gusts of up to 25 knots.
Use Flightradar24 to Track Flights During a Typhoon
You can also use Flightradar24, a flight-tracking tool, to check flight activity on the day of a typhoon.
By observing whether aircraft are taking off and landing, you can get a clearer picture of flight operations during the storm.
Keep in mind that seeing other aircraft take off or land successfully does not guarantee that your own flight will operate as scheduled. Flights may use different aircraft, routes, and departure times, and may face different weather conditions.
Have a Safe and Smooth Journey!
This article explains who decides whether flights can operate during a typhoon, the crosswind reference figures for common Boeing and Airbus aircraft, and how to use online tools to track typhoon paths and check airport weather before departure.
These tools and forecasts are for reference only. Before your trip, be sure to check your airline's official website, app, email, and text messages for updates. You should also keep an eye on the airport's flight information.
Flight safety will always come before arriving on time.
Wishing you a safe and smooth journey!
