A melting airport runway sounds like something straight out of a travel horror movie. But the reality is, extreme heat can literally melt a runway (and we've seen it!). So, how are airports keeping up in a warming world?

It all starts with something you likely take for granted when you're taking to the skies — the runway.

It's asphalt's fault

The majority of airport runways are made from asphalt, including more than 80% of runways at U.S. airports.

This is because of its many pros:

• Lower initial cost
• More easily and quickly repaired
• Flexibility in various temperatures, conditions and in response to small movements

However, this same flexibility is what ends up being a problem once temperatures soar.

The heat causes asphalt to soften and become pliable, which can lead to rutting and lifting of the runway.

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Obviously not ideal for a smooth takeoff or landing.

(MORE: Why heat can ground your plane)

We've seen it happen...

One stark example of this happening in recent years was at Luton Airport, north of London.

In July of 2022, the airport had to suspend flights because a section of the runway lifted as a result of the extreme heat. Temperatures at the time were close to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.K Meteorological Office.

Another notable heat-related incident happened at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in D.C. in 2012.

When a plane attempted to leave the gate, its wheel were found to be stuck in a soft spot on the tarmac as a result of the extreme heat. Temperatures soared to the century mark that day.

But with places across the Southwest seeing triple digits on a regular basis during the summertime, how are they keeping their runways intact?

The secret is simple: concrete

Major hubs in the Southwest, like Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, have used concrete in order to keep operations flowing smoothly in the summer.

As opposed to asphalt, concrete is incredibly durable, requires less frequent maintenance and — most importantly — does not soften in extreme heat.

The kicker? It's expensive.

So, while this solution works well for the larger airports that have larger budgets, smaller airports like Palm Springs and Flagstaff are still using runways paved with asphalt — leaving them vulnerable to heat-related impacts.

(MORE: Skip the heat and travel during 'shoulder season' instead)

What does this mean for your travel?

You'll want to add checking the temperature to your list when preparing for travel in the peak summer heat, especially if you are not flying through a major hub.

But, the impacts won't just be limited to historically hot regions.

As climate change continues to fuel more intense, widespread extreme heat, we could see more infrastructure concerns and travel delays at airports across the country.

Caitlin Kaiser graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist with weather.com.