Regulators Urge Global Action on Turbulence Risks

Aviation regulators from Asia are calling for a coordinated global effort to reduce injuries and improve turbulence forecasting. This push comes as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) convenes in Montreal for its air navigation conference, which runs through Sep. 6, 2024. 

The increased focus on turbulence is driven by growing concerns over severe weather patterns intensified by climate change, which experts warn could lead to more frequent and intense turbulence incidents.

Turbulence has become a major safety issue, accounting for approximately 40% of all accidents involving large aircraft in scheduled commercial operations, according to ICAO’s 2024 Annual Safety Report. Despite its low fatality rate, turbulence remains the leading cause of accidents, with recent high-profile incidents highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures.

One such incident occurred in May 2024 when a Singapore Airlines flight from London encountered severe turbulence, resulting in one passenger’s death and injuries to dozens of others. This tragic event has intensified calls from countries such as Japan, Korea, and Singapore for turbulence to be explicitly addressed in ICAO's 2026 Global Aviation Safety Plan. These nations argue that turbulence warrants specific attention within the global aviation safety framework due to its frequent and often unpredictable nature.

"We are advocating for ICAO to enhance the real-time exchange of weather information, making it more accessible and user-friendly for pilots," state an official from Japan's civil aviation bureau.

Currently, turbulence alerts are primarily provided in text format, which can be difficult for pilots to interpret quickly during flight. Some Asian countries are already working on presenting this information in a more visual format to facilitate faster comprehension and response.

Japan is setting an example with All Nippon Airways (ANA) voluntarily introducing safety videos to educate passengers about turbulence-related risks at the start and during flights. Although this practice is not yet mandatory, it reflects a growing awareness of the need for better preparedness among both crew and passengers.

In response to the rising number of turbulence incidents, Korean Air announced that it would discontinue serving instant cup noodles, known as ramyeon, on long-haul flights. The decision aims to reduce the risk of scalding injuries from boiling water during unexpected turbulence. This change underscores how airlines are adapting their in-flight services to prioritize passenger safety amid increasing turbulence risks.