Unusual weather patterns and strong winds are giving rise to innumerable cases of flight turbulence all around the world where there have been frequent cases of passengers falling sick because of the jerks.
The rough winds can be caused when a mountain or large man-made structure pushes air up from below, when a pilot moves from one course of airflow to another (like crossing into a jet stream to take advantage of fast winds), or when warm air rises through cooler air Turbulence can also be affected by seasonal weather patterns.
Significant, sudden changes in global temperature leads to more frequent air pockets above the world’s jet stream winds, thereby increasing cases of turbulences. Telegraph.co.uk reported that on Tuesday regional UK airline Flybe’s had to cancel around 1000 flights as cases of turbulence were on a rise due to recurring snowstorms.
A study published by University of Reading last year predicted that sudden climate change increases the possibility of severe turbulence by around 149-percent. The type of aircraft is also deemed to one of the causes for recurring cases of air turbulence.
On March 3 this year, US authorities had to cancel more than 2000 flights a powerful nor’easter storm bringing rain, snow and severe wind had hit the Eastern Coast.
Another study suggested that cases of turbulence could increase threefold in 30 years, due to the continued climate change.
Boeing is developing a laser which when attached to the nose of an aircraft could steer the pilots away from air turbulences, reported travel+leisure.
This technology would give pilots a chance to plot a path away from the turbulence.
Passing through the same jet stream, travelers on a large aircraft would feel less bumpy than those who ply on a small private jet on a daily basis.
Airspeed sometimes can also affect how turbulence affects the plane. Travelers who remember to keep their seat belts on during turbulences need not be bothered by it, as in 2016 only over 40 people were injured due to this.
Given the fact that aviation administration around the world require any aircraft be engineered to withstand much more turbulence than most will ever encounter, passengers should never forget the importance of adhering to safety rules while on a flight to their respective destinations.
(With ANI Inputs)