Climate change is making invisible turbulence harder to escape
As the planet warms, clear-air turbulence, invisible and undetectable, is becoming more frequent and severe, threatening passenger and crew safety.
In May 2024, Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 hit severe turbulence that lasted just over 21 seconds. Passengers not strapped in were thrown upward with 1.5 times the force of gravity.
One person died and 79 were seriously injured. Turbulence is already the leading cause of injuries to passengers and crew in non-fatal accidents.
The threat is growing because of climate change. As the planet warms, the atmosphere holds 7% more water vapour for every degree, fuelling stronger thunderstorms.
A former Qantas A380 captain points out that a typical thunderstorm holds more energy than a nuclear weapon. In Australia, the Brisbane to Sydney route consistently ranks as the country's most turbulent because of fast-developing storm systems in eastern Australia during warm seasons.
The science is clear: warmer air, more water vapour, more violent updrafts and downdrafts that shake planes with no warning.
- Singapore Airlines SQ321, May 2024
- Flight
- London to Singapore
- Route
- 210
- Passengers on board
- 1 dead, 79 seriously injured
- Casualties
Why it mattersFor anyone who flies, this means turbulence is getting worse. For airlines, it means pilots need better tools to detect invisible danger and passengers need to stay buckled.
AustraliaAustralian domestic flights, especially Brisbane, Sydney routes, are increasingly vulnerable. Qantas experienced a serious incident near Brisbane in May 2024 with three crew injured.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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