Overview

• BA says the Aug. 11 Embraer ERJ‑190 departure from Florence to London City required a weight reduction after temperatures reached about 35°C, decreasing air density.
• The short 5,118‑foot runway at Amerigo Vespucci Airport narrowed performance margins, prompting the crew’s standard safety calculations and a decision to offload travelers.
• British Airways apologized, rebooked affected customers on the next available flights, and provided hotel accommodation and transport.
• A passenger said staff initially indicated up to 36 people might need to leave, though roughly 20 ultimately disembarked.
• Aviation experts warn that more frequent hot days could make similar weight restrictions at smaller airports increasingly common as the climate warms.