Climate Change Intensifies Air Turbulence, Threatening South Asian Aviation

Rising Temperatures and Environmental Degradation Linked to Increased Flight Turbulence

Climate change is increasingly affecting air travel in South Asia, with recent incidents highlighting the growing danger of turbulence. Last week, a Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence, resulting in the death of a passenger with a heart condition and injuries to several others. This event is part of a troubling trend connecting climate change to more frequent and intense turbulence.

On May 1, 2022, a SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Kolkata faced similar turbulence, injuring numerous passengers. Tragically, one passenger later died from injuries sustained during the flight. Hemal Doshi, who was aboard, described the terrifying experience: “A sudden jolt threw everyone into a panic. I held onto an elderly woman seated next to me to prevent her from falling off her seat.”

In another incident on June 11, 2022, an Air Blue flight from Karachi to Peshawar encountered unexpected turbulence, causing panic among passengers. Nasreen Pasha, a passenger, recounted, “Everything was just fine as we were enjoying the smooth flight and hospitality. But all of a sudden, the flight turned rough and bumpy, shaking incessantly.”

Experts suggest that human-induced environmental changes are making the skies more dangerous. Islamabad-based scientist Mohammad Umer Alvi explains that rising temperatures and deforestation contribute to atmospheric instability, particularly around major airports in cities like Karachi and Lahore. “With the rise in average temperatures and deforestation, the atmosphere in and around big cities has become more unstable. This leads to the formation of convective currents that result in unpredictable air turbulence,” said Alvi.