Aircraft pilots need to calculate the density altitude of airports to understand the aircraft’s expected performance at take off, climb out and landing.
Density altitude is the airport’s effective altitude after adjusting for the effects of heat, humidity and air pressure.
Depending on the barometric altimeter setting for the airport, at a 110 deg F, the density altitude of an airport at 4,000 feet might be 9000 feet feet; at 120 deg F the density altitude might work out to 11,500 feet. This means the aircraft will have lower performance at take off, as the aircraft acts like it is flying in the thinner air of 9000 feet. In some cases, this high density altitude can be accommodated by lowering the weight of the aircraft (removing cargo and/or passengers). But in other cases, it may not be possible to make the flight.
==> Extreme heat affects airplanes. Here’s what travelers should know. (usatoday.com)
==> Extreme Heat Forces US Airlines To Reduce Fuel Loads, Passenger Numbers | TravelPulse
==> Days later, USA Today discovers density altitude – Again! Can it be too hot for a plane to fly? How Phoenix is handling record heat (msn.com)
This is normal for airlines to modify their flight operations for density altitude.
A recent medical airlift to Death Valley was not done because of high temperatures (about 121 deg F, which is in the normal range of high summertime temperatures in Death Valley). The density altitude for the helicopter, and anticipated patient and crew load, would have apparently exceeded the aircraft’s performance ability. Some news media blamed this on climate change even though this is a normal situation in Death Valley.
Note – I have an FAA private pilot certificate although I am no longer an active pilot.
