Troublesome Airline Journeys: Experiencing Unpleasant In-FlightConditions

Experiencing Hell on a Flight: The Unforgiving Turbulence Due to Climate Change

What was supposed to be a routine flight from Karachi to Lahore turned into a nightmare for the passengers. Chaos ensued as they were thrown around amidst screams, shouts, and fervent prayers. But the pilot, thankfully, handled the situation admirably, aborting landing and safely landing back in Karachi without any casualties or serious injuries.

In hindsight, this may have been a sign of things to come. As I've mentioned in one of my earlier columns, climate change will eventually impact aviation, and it seems that day has arrived.

While this wasn't the first case of severe turbulence in the annals of aviation history, it shows that the issue is becoming more prevalent. With incidents sometimes resulting in loss of life, as seen in the 2024 Singapore Airlines turbulence incident and United Airlines in 1997, it's clear that climate change is intensifying clear-air turbulence and introducing the element of sudden storms that can toss around airplanes like toys.

Places like Santiago, Chile, and Santa Cruz, Bolivia, have long been known for their turbulent routes due to clear-air turbulence. However, with climate change, this once regular inconvenience has become more dangerous than ever, with the emergence of sudden, powerful storms that threaten the very safety of air travel.

According to experts, climate change is linked to increased air turbulence, particularly clear-air turbulence, due to rising temperatures altering jet stream patterns and creating more unstable air conditions. This can lead to stronger wind shear and more frequent, intense turbulence. It's predicted that climate change will cause even more flight disruptions in the coming years as temperatures spike.

Aviation is not the only sector feeling the heat. Passengers can expect other problems, such as delays due to hotter temperatures requiring more time and distance for takeoff. There may also be weight restrictions due to higher ground temperatures making it difficult for flights to gain enough lift. This could lead to fewer passengers, reduced luggage allowance, less cargo, and lower fuel capacities.

Although passengers from other countries might be more concerned about these issues, for passengers from the subcontinent, the biggest fear would be reduced luggage allowance. After all, because most of these passengers shop all year round for their loved ones abroad, any limitation on luggage quantities would be a huge blow.

I've experienced severe clear-air turbulence firsthand. My worst encounter was on a flight returning from New York. The turbulence started as we were over the Atlantic and continued relentlessly until we reached the shores of Dover. It felt like I was not on an airplane over the Atlantic but in a dinghy, battling rough waves. It was a truly terrifying experience, yet I marveled at those who calmly slept through it all or enjoyed their beds in the upper classes.

Climate change is undeniably a threat to our way of life and travel, and it's becoming more evident with each passing day. For countries like Pakistan, which are among the most affected and have the least capacity to withstand its effects, we must be better prepared. We must pressure those responsible for contributing to climate change to help us adapt to these changing circumstances.

The Lahore airplane incident, triggered by a severe dust storm, should serve as a wake-up call. It's a glimpse into our future, and it's only the beginning. Let's see what the monsoon brings, which has arrived earlier than usual, a potential sign of more surprises from our changing climate.

Let's face it—climate change is here, and it's gaining strength.

Enrichment Data:

History of Severe Air Turbulence Incidents Caused by Climate Change

Climate change has been linked to rising instances of severe air turbulence since the late 1970s.
The increased frequency and severity of turbulence are primarily attributed to intensified temperature differences in the atmosphere, which amplify wind shear and strengthen jet streams.
Clear-air turbulence (CAT), which is turbulence in the absence of visible weather disturbances, has become more frequent and intense.

Expected Future Impact on Aviation

Predictions indicate that wind shear at cruising altitudes could increase by another 17% to 29% by 2100.
This increase could lead to turbulence strong enough to cause injuries doubling or tripling in frequency by the end of the century.
The aviation industry faces higher costs, increased maintenance needs, and greater safety challenges due to the intensifying turbulence. Efforts are underway to develop improved turbulence forecasting and real-time detection technologies.
Passengers are advised to remain seated with seatbelts fastened during turbulence events to minimize the risk of injury.

As climate change continues to intensify, clear-air turbulence, a once regular inconvenience in routes like Santiago, Chile, and Santa Cruz, Bolivia, is becoming more dangerous and threatening the very safety of air travel.
One of the sectors significantly impacted by climate change is the aviation industry, with predicted flight disruptions rising as temperatures spike, leading to stronger wind shear and more frequent, intense turbulence.
With the emergence of clear-air turbulence incidents like the one over the Atlantic, passengers can expect other problems such as delays, weight restrictions, reduced luggage allowance, less cargo, and lower fuel capacities.
Historical data shows that climate change has been linked to an increased frequency and severity of air turbulence since the late 1970s, primarily due to intensified temperature differences in the atmosphere that amplify wind shear and strengthen jet streams.