Hiding in plain sight: the invisible turbulence that can strike out of a clear blue sky
As the planet warms, airlines are grappling with what this means for air travel – and for the passengers who simply refuse to keep their seatbelts fastened
TL;DR
- Climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of thunderstorms, which cause dangerous convective turbulence.
- Clear-air turbulence, which is invisible and undetectable by radar, is also on the rise and poses a significant hazard.
- Turbulence is the leading cause of non-fatal passenger and crew injuries in aviation.
- Airlines are using new technologies like AI and Lidar, along with improved data collection, to better predict turbulence.
- Singapore Airlines has implemented stricter cabin rules after a severe turbulence incident, but passenger compliance with seatbelt signs remains a challenge.
- Aircraft are built to withstand extreme turbulence, but passenger injuries are a primary concern.
- Human behavior on board, such as not keeping seatbelts fastened, is identified as a major limitation in mitigating turbulence-related risks.