What issue do larger aircraft cause during the final approach to an airport?

Larger aircraft generate more wake turbulence than smaller aircraft due to their size and the way they displace air while flying. This turbulence can create significant challenges for following aircraft, particularly during the critical phase of landing on final approach. Wake turbulence consists of varying air movements, including vortices that sink and spread out as the aircraft passes through the air.

For smaller aircraft that are following in the wake of larger ones, this turbulence can lead to issues such as loss of control or difficulty in maintaining stable flight paths, especially if they are too close behind. Air traffic controllers must therefore create greater separation between arriving larger and smaller aircraft to ensure safety during final approach and landing.

While larger aircraft may have an impact on other areas, such as noise levels or fuel consumption, the critical safety issue related to final approach is indeed the wake turbulence created, making it the key concern for air traffic management in these scenarios.