It's worded that way for shock value: 1) 40C is the air temperature, the surface temperature of something exposed to the sun is much higher 2) It's not like i

It's worded that way for shock value: 1) 40C is the air temperature, the surface temperature of something exposed to the sun is much higher 2) It's not like it's a big hilarious, swirling sea of tarmac. Part of the runway will be a bit softer than they deem safe. The UK heatwave is still extraordinary, but you need to take tabloid headlines with a generous pinch of salt.