Svalbard Airport's Runway Melts as Arctic Warms

Svalbard Airport, the world's northernmost airport with scheduled commercial flights, is facing a severe threat from climate change as the permafrost foundation beneath its runway melts, causing instability and increasing risks of subsidence, landslides, and avalanches. The airport is vital for the Svalbard archipelago's roughly 2,500 residents, who rely on it for supplies and connectivity, as reaching the islands by ship can take days. The melting permafrost, once a stable building foundation, has now forced airport staff to conduct daily checks during summer due to the risk of soil subsidence, a problem expected to worsen in the future. This situation highlights the broader environmental fragility of the Arctic, which is experiencing both increased tourism and the visible effects of global warming. Despite its unique location and growing popularity among travelers, Svalbard Airport's future is uncertain as climate change undermines its very foundation.