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Should you be afraid of air turbulence? Here’s why in-flight turbulence, like the one Singapore Airlines passengers experienced recently, can be dangerous for travellers


In a recent incident on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore, severe air turbulence resulted in one man’s death and sent dozens of passengers to the hospital. After the pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the plane to Thailand, 30 out of the 211 passengers and 18 crew members required hospitalisation or medical treatment.

Here’s an unpopular opinion: air travel can be painstaking, infuriating and anxiety-inducing. Sure, I may be reflecting my personal fears into this one, but hear me out. You have to get there way in advance, go through multiple rounds of security checks, and then walk, and walk and walk till you find your gate where you have to stand in the queue till you’re “checked in.” Let’s not forget the airport shuttle bus you have to take to reach the aircraft before you get into a very claustrophobic sitting situation. Bad food, no leg space, and uncomfortable seating don’t really make a case for air travel. And it gets worse if there’s air turbulence.

Wondering what turbulence is? Simply put, air turbulence is an unpredictable weather phenomenon characterised by irregular air motion caused by eddies and vertical currents, often associated with fronts, wind shear, and thunderstorms. Its intensity can vary greatly, ranging from mild bumps to severe conditions that can momentarily throw an airplane out of control or even cause structural damage.

What’s the reason behind turbulence?

According to the Sheffield School of Aeronautics, various environmental factors contribute to turbulence, but the primary cause is changes in the atmosphere. “Light turbulence” involves slight changes in altitude, causing minimal discomfort. “Moderate turbulence” is more intense, making you feel a strain on your seat, but the pilots maintain control of the aircraft. “Severe turbulence” results from large and abrupt altitude changes, violently forcing you against your seat belt and potentially causing pilots to lose control of the aircraft. The most dangerous is “extreme turbulence,” where the plane is violently tossed about, making it impossible to control and potentially causing structural damage.

In February, an IndiGo flight from New Delhi to Srinagar faced severe turbulence due to heavy rainfall, giving a frightening experience to the passengers onboard. Global warming and climate change have a big role to play in this horrifying situation. According to a 2023 report, researchers found that flights over India may get more turbulence as climate change alters the wind speed, and flights over northern India are likely to get 200 percent more turbulence by 2050 due to a warm atmosphere and change in the winds.

Is it life-threatening?

Even though the in-flight crew is trained to handle tense situations, experiencing turbulence can be frightening. Pilots are skilled at predicting and navigating through various levels of turbulence and even bird strikes. While sudden drops can be alarming, aircraft are designed to withstand even severe turbulence, making the chances of it causing a crash highly unlikely.

Fatalities, like the recent Singapore Airlines incident, are rare. Nonetheless, knowing in-flight etiquette and staying calm is crucial. If you’re a nervous flyer, preparation can help you cope with potential turbulence. The most important step is to always buckle up, as wearing a seat belt significantly reduces the risk of serious injury. Additionally, pay attention to the safety instructions provided by the in-flight crew and remain calm instead of becoming agitated or aggressive.



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