Airplanes releasing liters of kerosene into the air during a flight, it sounds strange, but it really does happen. Though rare, it only occurs in emergency situations. So how does it work exactly?
Why is kerosene dumped?
Airplanes often take off with full fuel tanks to cover long distances. But imagine this: shortly after takeoff, a plane needs to return due to a technical issue or a medical emergency.
At that point, the aircraft is still far too heavy to land safely. In such cases, the flight crew may decide to dump fuel.
How to survive an airplane crash: read on to discover 8 tips.
What’s the purpose?
The goal is simple: to reduce weight. An aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight and a lower maximum landing weight.
By dumping fuel, the plane becomes lighter, reducing the risk of damage to the landing gear or fire during an emergency landing.
Take the Airbus A380, for example. Its maximum takeoff weight is 560 tons, while the maximum landing weight is 386 tons.
This means that up to 174 tons of kerosene would need to be burned off before the plane could land safely at its maximum takeoff weight.
How does the process work?
Fuel dumping usually takes place over the sea or at high altitude, where the kerosene completely evaporates before reaching the ground.
If it happens over populated areas, extra precautions are taken regarding altitude and weather conditions to avoid risks. For passengers and people on the ground, there is no danger.
How often does it happen?
Fortunately, very rarely. Dumping fuel not only costs airlines a lot of money but is also harmful to the environment. That’s why it’s only done when safety absolutely requires it.
More commonly, commercial planes will fly holding patterns to burn off excess fuel. According to Wikipedia figures from Germany, fuel dumping in German airsprace occurs about
once or twice a month.
In short
Fuel dumping is a controlled procedure, performed at high altitude, with one single purpose: ensuring a safe landing for everyone on board.
By: Rico Valkenborgh | October 30, 2025
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