Impact of fog dispersion on aviation and environmental safety

Abstract

Fog is one of the most hazardous meteorological phenomena, significantly impacting aviation safety and the continuity and regularity of aviation operations, particularly in general aviation. It also causes substantial economic losses due to frequent operational disruptions and temporary airport closures. Moreover, fog remains one of the most complex atmospheric phenomena to forecast and observe with high accuracy. The Vojvodina region, the focus of this study, is characterized by frequent fog, particularly during the colder part of the year. It hosts several small airports and airfields, which, despite their limited infrastructure, are regularly used and often operate without certified low-visibility landing systems. Under such conditions, fog dispersion techniques could serve as a potential supplementary operational approach for enhancing operational aviation safety. To illustrate the described meteorological conditions and their potential impact on aviation operations, this study analyzes the synoptic situation on 14 November 2025, during which an aircraft accident occurred at Subotica Airport (LYSU), resulting in severe injuries to the passenger and the death of the pilot. This study provides a critical assessment of the potential to improve aviation safety at small airports and airfields in the Vojvodina region by applying fog dispersion methods, with particular consideration of their environmental implications. The study focuses on scenarios where certified low-visibility landing systems are not operationally available.