What does 'diverting' mean in aviation?

In aviation, 'diverting' refers specifically to changing the destination of an aircraft while it is in-flight. This decision is often made due to various factors such as adverse weather conditions, technical issues with the aircraft, or other operational considerations that may impact the original route or airport.

When an aircraft is diverted, it typically means the flight will land at an alternate airport rather than the initially planned destination. This is an important concept for pilots and dispatchers, as it often requires careful planning regarding fuel consumption, alternate airport suitability, and passenger arrangements.

While the other options refer to changes that can happen related to a flight, they do not accurately convey the definition of 'diverting' in the context of aviation, which is primarily about changing the current flight path to a different airport. Increasing the fuel load before takeoff is related to pre-flight planning, changing the departure time is a scheduling issue, and descending to a lower altitude generally pertains to operational safety rather than a change in destination.