Losing Hundreds of Thousands in a Single Go! Jet Fuel Costs 5,000 Yuan per Ton, So Why Do Planes Dump Fuel in Mid-Air?

The Motives and Principles Behind Mid-Air Fuel Dumping

Whenever a plane flies overhead, a thunderous roar can be heard on the ground below.

Sometimes, you can see the plane tracing a white arc in the sky, creating what looks like a long string of “clouds.” In fact, this is the plane dumping fuel.

Fuel dumping by planes is actually quite a common occurrence.

In October 2019, a plane bound for Melbourne released 30 tons of fuel directly into the air before landing at Shenzhen Airport.

After landing, it was calculated that this fuel dumping incident cost 150,000 yuan!

Many are puzzled by the practice of planes dumping fuel. Given the high cost of aviation fuel, why do planes frequently dump fuel? And doesn’t this released fuel pollute the environment?

Fuel Dumping is for Flight Safety

Many have heard of planes dumping fuel while flying, but few have witnessed it.

Mr. Wang, a passenger, once sat by the window and saw the “spectacular” scene of fuel dumping.