The Turbulence Epidemic: Why Severe In-Flight Turbulence is on the Rise
A series of incidents that left scores of airline passengers needing medical attention has shone a spotlight on the problem of severe in-flight turbulence.
In recent months, Singapore Airlines Ltd., Qatar Airways, and Air Europa flights have all suffered sudden drops in altitude, requiring passengers to need hospital treatment and, in Singapore’s case, leaving one man dead.
Singapore Air Flight SQ321 encountered severe turbulence as it entered Thai airspace in late May, triggering an emergency landing in Bangkok. It was en route to Singapore from London.
And this week, some 40 passengers were injured when an Air Europa flight hit severe turbulence on its way from Madrid to Montevideo, Uruguay.
The most turbulent flights of all connect Santiago in Chile to Santa Cruz in Bolivia, but there are similarly bumpy rides across the world. Flights leaving Tokyo dominate the list of the roughest long-haul services.
Strong turbulence is produced when air streams traveling at significantly different speeds come together. This is typically encountered at the boundaries of jet streams, over mountains, and in certain cloud storms.
The turbulence website produced its rankings by analyzing 150,000 routes using data from UK and US government meteorological agencies.
Understanding the Cause
Turbulence on the Santiago-Santa Cruz route is generated by winds from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean flowing almost perpendicular to the Andes. The equator is also a well-known region for turbulence because of strong upward currents and thunderstorm activity.
Japan has high levels of mountain- and ocean-induced turbulence.
What Can Airlines Do?
With the rise in severe turbulence incidents, airlines must prioritize passenger safety. This includes implementing better forecasting methods, technology to predict and avoid turbulent areas, and ensuring cabin crew are well-trained to handle such situations calmly and efficiently.
Conclusion
Severe in-flight turbulence is a growing concern for both airlines and passengers. Understanding the causes and implementing proactive measures can help mitigate the risks associated with this natural phenomenon.
Stay informed, stay safe, and happy travels!
