Aerosol clearing via optomechanical displacement through the use of ultrafast laser pulses has been shown as an effective method for the enhancement of free-space optical telecommunication through turbid media like fog and clouds. This work represents a step towards a better understanding of the fundamental physical principles behind the clearing mechanism and improving the applicability of the technique. The overarching goal was to bring it from a laboratory setting closer to real-life application. To this end, the effect of a laser-induced shockwave in the air on an ensemble of droplets and single microspheres is demonstrated in several experiments. Additionally, an alternative way of laser-based shockwave generation in the air via the coherent rotational excitation of nitrogen molecules is demonstrated. Lastly, the use of beam-shaping techniques to generate complex, extended plasma structures in the air and their benefits are explored.