CTV News Canada: Buckle up: Fliers are in for bumpy rides with climate change-related turbulence
Stock image Leio McLaren
Aug. 8, 2017
News that 10 people were seriously injured after hitting unexpected turbulence aboard an American Airlines flight corroborates findings from a recent climate change study forecasting that fliers should begin bracing themselves for a bumpier ride.
Over the weekend, a flight traveling from Greece to Philadelphia was hit by severe turbulence just before landing, sending three passengers and seven crew members to hospital.
It's the latest incident of extreme turbulence to make headlines for terrifying passengers.
In June, a United Airlines flight traveling from Panama to Houston was also hit by extreme turbulence, slamming one passenger into the ceiling and leaving a dozen other fliers with bumps, bruises, and chest and neck pain.
According to scientist Paul Williams of the University of Reading, this is just the beginning.
In his study published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences this spring, Williams predicts that incidents of moderate-to-severe turbulence could increase by 127 per cent, while severe turbulence could spike by 149 per cent on transatlantic flights in the near future.
Severe turbulence is defined as a force strong enough to catapult unbuckled passengers and crew around the aircraft cabin.
