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March 10, 2025 | 02:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Air travel is one of the busiest modes of transportation, with rumbling engines traversing across the world. However, the South Pole is among the most unwelcoming aviation routes that raises a question from frequent passengers “Why can’t you fly over Antarctica?” To put it simply, the land mass of the South Pole, along with its icy mountainous relief, does not generally support any kind of humane conditions.
For the curious, here are some of the possible reasons why it is unusual to fly to Antarctica, as quoted from Simple Flying and Aviation File.
Why Can’t You Fly Over Antarctica?
According to Simple Flying, venturing to Antarctica is not entirely impossible as there are still rare events occurring in the icy land that require a touch of the big fleets.
Harsh weather conditions, ETOPS regulations and limited infrastructure are some of the reasons why air travel to Antarctica is uncommon.
Unlike the North Pole, much of the South Pole lacks the facilities and systems needed for commercial flights. The area also lacks airports and refueling stations, which further the drawbacks of both large and small aviation.
Adding to the restrictions is the tightening of ETOPS (The Extended-Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) regulations, which monitor the distance between a twin-engine aircraft and an airport. This is an issue for a remote area with limited airports like Antarctica.
Above all, the harsh weather conditions in Antarctica don't allow for sophisticated commercial flights, making it impossible to plan amidst unpredictable storms, winds, blizzards, and many other concerning circumstances.
As a result, the demand for the South Pole is reportedly lower compared to the Northern Hemisphere, creating more logistical and operational challenges. That’s why airline investments toward this route remain scarce to none at all.
Specialized Flights to Antarctica
Generally, there is no immediate need to fly over Antarctica. However, specialized aircraft and their trained crews are bound to the continent for scientific research purposes.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides comprehensive guidance about conducting polar operations below:
- A sufficient airport requirement for en route alternates must be defined.
- Passenger recovery plans must be approved by the FAA.
- Fuel temperature and monitoring program is required.
- Effective communication capability must be met for all flight routes.
- Equipment list considerations include fuel quantity indications, APU capability, autothrottle, flight crew communication, and extensive medical kit availability
- Training for weather patterns, maintenance instructions, as well as special procedures are met by flight crews and dispatchers.
- Special equipment of at least two cold weather anti-exposure must be provided onboard.
However, the challenges far outweigh the benefits of flying over Antarctica. From extreme weather conditions and stringent ETOPS regulations to the lack of infrastructure, commercial aviation has little reason to traverse this desolate landscape.
Instead, flights to the South Pole remain limited to specialized missions, primarily for scientific research and exploration. Until technology and logistical advancements make such routes feasible, Antarctica will always be one of the few places on Earth untouched by mainstream aviation.
For general geeks, let’s see the coverage of the coldest places on Earth here.
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