Recently, several airlines have experienced sudden drops in altitude during flights, leading to passengers requiring hospital treatment. Among these airlines are Singapore Airlines Ltd., Qatar Airways, and Air Europa. These incidents have raised concerns about the growing problem of severe in-flight turbulence.
For example, Singapore Air Flight SQ321 encountered severe turbulence as it entered Thai airspace in late May while en route from London to Singapore. This forced an emergency landing in Bangkok, resulting in the need for medical attention for some of the passengers on board.
According to reports, the frequency of turbulence during flights is on the rise, with some instances resulting in death or serious injury. One such incident occurred when an Air Europa flight traveling from Madrid to Montevideo in Uruguay encountered severe turbulence. This resulted in forty passengers being injured and highlights the dangers posed by this phenomenon.
Turbli, a website that analyzes data from UK and US government meteorological agencies, has determined that strong turbulence occurs when air streams of varying speeds converge over mountainous terrain or within certain types of cloud formations. The Santiago-Santa Cruz route experiences turbulence due to winds traveling from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean nearly perpendicular to the Andes. Additionally, the equator is known for being a region prone to turbulence due to its proximity to powerful jet stream boundaries and atmospheric instability caused by high levels of moisture and temperature variations.
As such, it’s important for airlines and aviation authorities to take steps towards reducing the frequency and severity of this phenomenon during flights. While there are some inherent risks associated with flying, it’s crucial that we take proactive measures towards ensuring passenger safety and comfort onboard aircrafts.
In conclusion, severe in-flight turbulence is becoming an increasingly significant concern for air travelers worldwide. While there are factors beyond our control when it comes to weather patterns and atmospheric conditions, airlines must do everything they can to minimize potential risks associated with this phenomenon during flights.