Climate Projections and Time Series Analysis over Roma Fiumicino Airport Using COSMO-CLM: Insights from Advanced Statistical Methods

Evaluation of climate change effects on airport infrastructure is important to maintain safety and flexibility in air travel operations. The airports are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events and temperature fluctuations, which can disrupt operations, compromise passenger’s safety and cause economic losses. Issues such as flood runways and disruption of power supply highlight the need of strong adaptation strategies. The study focuses on the application of the high-resolution regional model COSMO-CLM to assess climate change impacts on Roma Fiumicino airport (Italy) under the IPCC RCP8.5 scenario. The complex topography of Italy requires fine-scale simulation to catch localized climate dynamics. By employing advanced statistical methods, such as fractal analysis, this research aims to increase understanding of climate change and improve the model capability prediction. The findings provide valuable insights for designing resilient airport infrastructures and updating operational protocols in view of evolving climate risks. This study was performed in the frame of the Horizon Europe ALBATROS project, which focuses on ensuring safety and resilience in aviation under extreme weather conditions. The results support informed decision-making for climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in the aviation sector.