The recent incidents of airline passengers requiring medical attention due to in-flight turbulence have brought the issue to the forefront. Several airlines, including Singapore Airlines Ltd., Qatar Airways, and Air Europa, have experienced sudden drops in altitude while en route from their respective destinations. For example, in late May, Singapore Air Flight SQ321 had to make an emergency landing in Bangkok after encountering severe turbulence while traveling from London to Singapore.
Turbulence is becoming increasingly common and has even led to fatalities and serious injuries. This week, forty passengers were injured on an Air Europa flight from Madrid to Montevideo in Uruguay due to severe turbulence. According to data from the turbli database, the most turbulent flights connect Santiago in Chile to Santa Cruz in Bolivia. Flights departing from Tokyo also top the list for the roughest long-haul services.
The turbli website explains that strong turbulence occurs when air streams traveling at different speeds converge, usually at the boundaries of jet streams, over mountains, and in certain cloud storms. The website also notes that turbulence on the Santiago-Santa Cruz route is caused by winds flowing from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and intersecting the Andes at nearly a right angle. The equatorial region is another known area for turbulence.
While it’s essential for airlines to take necessary precautions against severe turbulence, it’s also crucial for passengers to be aware of potential risks and follow safety guidelines during flights. It’s advisable for travelers to stay seated with their seat belts fastened during times of turbulence and avoid moving around or standing up until it has passed.
In conclusion, airline passengers require medical attention due to severe in-flight turbulence is becoming increasingly common. While airlines can take measures against it, passengers must remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines during flights.
Recent incidents involving airline passengers requiring medical attention have brought attention to an issue that has been affecting several airlines worldwide.
Several airlines such as Singapore Airlines Ltd., Qatar Airways
