A few weeks ago, a major accident was narrowly avoided on Singapore Airlines due to turbulence. At an altitude of 37,000 feet over the Irrawaddy Basin, the flight suddenly encountered severe turbulence. The sudden jolts caused the death of a 73-year-old British passenger and injured 30 others.
A few months ago, a similar incident occurred involving Kannada film actor Dhruva Sarja, who was recently traveling to Kashmir with his film crew. As the plane entered Kashmir’s airspace, passengers experienced terrifying turbulence. The aircraft rapidly descended, dropping nearly 4,000 feet. The actor said it felt like a brush with death. While turbulence due to bad weather seems like a common event, experts believe that climate change is increasing the frequency of such incidents. The entire aviation industry is facing various challenges due to changing weather and rising temperatures. Meteorologists state that increasing climate change on Earth is causing more turbulence.
According to a study by researchers at the University of Reading in the UK, climate change will pose numerous challenges for flights in the future. After 2050, incidents of air turbulence in the northern Indian airspace are expected to more than double. Researchers indicate that air turbulence typically occurs at very high altitudes and in cloudless skies, making it difficult to predict in advance. The study suggests that in the future, particularly between March and May during the pre-monsoon season, incidents of air turbulence will increase rapidly in most parts of northern India. According to Professor Williams, who was part of the study, passengers may need to keep their seat belts fastened during flights in the future. Researchers used climate model simulations to study the impact of climate change. They state that there can be multiple causes of turbulence, but air turbulence is particularly dangerous for aircraft as it cannot be detected by radar or satellite. Warm and strong winds, known as jet streams, are the main cause of this turbulence. Climate change has intensified these jet streams.
Aviation engineering expert Jayvrat Ghosh says that climate change has definitely impacted the aviation industry. Due to climate change, extreme weather events have increased rapidly. Pilots are informed about the weather conditions on their route a few hours before the flight, which helps them navigate. However, sudden weather changes during the flight can increase the pilot’s challenges. In such situations, turbulence is often felt and sometimes the aircraft may need to be diverted due to severe weather, preventing it from reaching its designated airport on time. This affects the timing of many flights. Additionally, climate change has increased heat levels. During extreme heat, the air becomes lighter, requiring longer runways for aircraft to take off. The aircraft needs to run a considerable distance to build enough pressure to lift off, which is challenging at airports with shorter runways. For airlines, fuel costs are crucial. In extremely hot weather, cooling the aircraft or covering a longer distance on the runway increases fuel consumption, making operations difficult for airlines. Overall, climate change and rising temperatures are creating various challenges for the aviation sector.
Aircraft also play a significant role in increasing atmospheric heat. Aviation expert Rishikesh Mishra says that airplanes contribute significantly to atmospheric pollution, which is one reason for rising temperatures. According to the environmental agency UBA, a flight from Germany to the Maldives, covering 8,000 km one way, emits over five tons of carbon dioxide per person. Airplanes fly at altitudes ranging from 35,000 to 50,000 feet, significantly impacting Earth’s temperature. The smoke from airplanes can form clouds, which can both cool and warm the Earth. The United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization is taking stringent measures to control pollution from aircraft. This organization has asked aviation companies and regulators to formulate policies to curb aircraft pollution.
Currently, in the United States, more than 75 per cent of air traffic delays are due to weather, as climate change increases coastal flooding and extreme weather events. More flights may be grounded due to weather-related delays. A warmer atmosphere can also increase turbulence during flights.
Increasing Incidents Of Turbulence
Professor Paul Williams, a climate scientist and co-researcher at the University of Reading, says that the increase in turbulence during air travel is due to greater differences in wind speeds within the jet stream. Jet streams are air currents that flow from west to east at altitudes of 8 to 10 km above the Earth’s surface. These currents are created due to temperature differences between the equator and the poles. Scientists have conducted this study based on data obtained from satellites. It is worth noting that satellites cannot directly observe turbulence but can analyze the shape and structure of jet streams. Radars that monitor aircraft activities can detect turbulence caused by storms but find it difficult to capture turbulence in clear air.
Types Of Turbulence Based On Intensity:
1. Light Turbulence: The plane moves up and down by 1 meter. Passengers might not even notice.
2. Moderate Turbulence: The plane moves up and down by 3-6 meters. Drinks can spill.
3. Severe Turbulence: The plane moves up and down by up to 30 meters. Passengers without seat belts can be thrown about.
Impact Of Climate Change On The Aviation Industry In Five Ways:
Increased Heat Making Flights Difficult
Due to global warming, rising temperatures make it challenging for planes to take off. Warm air is less dense than cold air, making it harder for aircraft to achieve sufficient lift. Consequently, planes need to run a longer distance on the runway in extremely hot weather. This makes it difficult for planes to take off from smaller airports. Even if a larger runway is available, fuel consumption increases. High temperatures can lead to weight restrictions for flights, meaning fewer passengers and less cargo and fuel capacity. In some cases, longer runway distances are required to generate adequate lift.
Increased Risk Of Lightning Due To Climate Change
The likelihood of severe storms, especially in the eastern parts of the United States, is increasing. A study estimates that global warming could increase lightning incidents in the US by 12 per cent annually. Lightning can damage the electronic systems and equipment of large commercial aircraft.
Changing Jet Streams Could Lengthen Travel Time
In recent decades, scientists have observed changes in jet streams—fast-moving winds in the atmosphere that flow from west to east between warm and cold air boundaries. Research suggests that changing wind patterns could affect travel times in the Northern Hemisphere, possibly lengthening westbound flights and speeding up eastbound flights. These changes can impact route scheduling and fuel costs.
Increased Air Turbulence
Jet streams cause strong wind gusts at high altitudes. Incidents of this have increased in recent years. Jet streams are considered more dangerous because pilots cannot see them. They cannot be detected by radar or satellites. The likelihood of air turbulence in clear air is higher during winter months. A recent study found that between 1979 and 2020, incidents of air turbulence in the US increased by 41 per cent. Climate change is considered the main reason for this.
Coastal Airports at Increased Risk Due to Rising Storms
Global warming increases heat, causing sea levels to rise and creating conditions for coastal flooding during regular high tides and coastal storms. This makes aircraft operations difficult at coastal airports.
India Has A Total of 137 Airports
The Airports Authority of India manages a total of 137 airports in the country, including 24 international airports, 10 customs airports and 103 domestic airports. AAI provides air navigation services over 2.8 million square nautical miles of airspace. On November 19, 2023, airlines in India carried 456,910 domestic passengers, the highest daily air traffic since the pandemic hit. In 2023, 60 new RCS routes were introduced under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, with 154 new RCS routes provided under UDAN. Twelve new RCS routes were launched in the northeast. More than 9.1 million passengers benefited from the Digi Yatra facility and over 3.5 million users downloaded the app.
(Note: This story has been translated by Ankit Kumar for Jagran English.)
A few weeks ago, a major accident was narrowly avoided on Singapore Airlines due to turbulence. At an altitude of 37,000 feet over the Irrawaddy Basin, the flight suddenly encountered severe turbulence. The sudden jolts caused the death of a 73-year-old British passenger and injured 30 others.
A few months ago, a similar incident occurred involving Kannada film actor Dhruva Sarja, who was recently traveling to Kashmir with his film crew. As the plane entered Kashmir’s airspace, passengers experienced terrifying turbulence. The aircraft rapidly descended, dropping nearly 4,000 feet. The actor said it felt like a brush with death. While turbulence due to bad weather seems like a common event, experts believe that climate change is increasing the frequency of such incidents. The entire aviation industry is facing various challenges due to changing weather and rising temperatures. Meteorologists state that increasing climate change on Earth is causing more turbulence.
According to a study by researchers at the University of Reading in the UK, climate change will pose numerous challenges for flights in the future. After 2050, incidents of air turbulence in the northern Indian airspace are expected to more than double. Researchers indicate that air turbulence typically occurs at very high altitudes and in cloudless skies, making it difficult to predict in advance. The study suggests that in the future, particularly between March and May during the pre-monsoon season, incidents of air turbulence will increase rapidly in most parts of northern India. According to Professor Williams, who was part of the study, passengers may need to keep their seat belts fastened during flights in the future. Researchers used climate model simulations to study the impact of climate change. They state that there can be multiple causes of turbulence, but air turbulence is particularly dangerous for aircraft as it cannot be detected by radar or satellite. Warm and strong winds, known as jet streams, are the main cause of this turbulence. Climate change has intensified these jet streams.
Aviation engineering expert Jayvrat Ghosh says that climate change has definitely impacted the aviation industry. Due to climate change, extreme weather events have increased rapidly. Pilots are informed about the weather conditions on their route a few hours before the flight, which helps them navigate. However, sudden weather changes during the flight can increase the pilot’s challenges. In such situations, turbulence is often felt and sometimes the aircraft may need to be diverted due to severe weather, preventing it from reaching its designated airport on time. This affects the timing of many flights. Additionally, climate change has increased heat levels. During extreme heat, the air becomes lighter, requiring longer runways for aircraft to take off. The aircraft needs to run a considerable distance to build enough pressure to lift off, which is challenging at airports with shorter runways. For airlines, fuel costs are crucial. In extremely hot weather, cooling the aircraft or covering a longer distance on the runway increases fuel consumption, making operations difficult for airlines. Overall, climate change and rising temperatures are creating various challenges for the aviation sector.
Aircraft also play a significant role in increasing atmospheric heat. Aviation expert Rishikesh Mishra says that airplanes contribute significantly to atmospheric pollution, which is one reason for rising temperatures. According to the environmental agency UBA, a flight from Germany to the Maldives, covering 8,000 km one way, emits over five tons of carbon dioxide per person. Airplanes fly at altitudes ranging from 35,000 to 50,000 feet, significantly impacting Earth’s temperature. The smoke from airplanes can form clouds, which can both cool and warm the Earth. The United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization is taking stringent measures to control pollution from aircraft. This organization has asked aviation companies and regulators to formulate policies to curb aircraft pollution.
Currently, in the United States, more than 75 per cent of air traffic delays are due to weather, as climate change increases coastal flooding and extreme weather events. More flights may be grounded due to weather-related delays. A warmer atmosphere can also increase turbulence during flights.
Increasing Incidents Of Turbulence
Professor Paul Williams, a climate scientist and co-researcher at the University of Reading, says that the increase in turbulence during air travel is due to greater differences in wind speeds within the jet stream. Jet streams are air currents that flow from west to east at altitudes of 8 to 10 km above the Earth’s surface. These currents are created due to temperature differences between the equator and the poles. Scientists have conducted this study based on data obtained from satellites. It is worth noting that satellites cannot directly observe turbulence but can analyze the shape and structure of jet streams. Radars that monitor aircraft activities can detect turbulence caused by storms but find it difficult to capture turbulence in clear air.
Types Of Turbulence Based On Intensity:
1. Light Turbulence: The plane moves up and down by 1 meter. Passengers might not even notice.
2. Moderate Turbulence: The plane moves up and down by 3-6 meters. Drinks can spill.
3. Severe Turbulence: The plane moves up and down by up to 30 meters. Passengers without seat belts can be thrown about.
Impact Of Climate Change On The Aviation Industry In Five Ways:
Increased Heat Making Flights Difficult
Due to global warming, rising temperatures make it challenging for planes to take off. Warm air is less dense than cold air, making it harder for aircraft to achieve sufficient lift. Consequently, planes need to run a longer distance on the runway in extremely hot weather. This makes it difficult for planes to take off from smaller airports. Even if a larger runway is available, fuel consumption increases. High temperatures can lead to weight restrictions for flights, meaning fewer passengers and less cargo and fuel capacity. In some cases, longer runway distances are required to generate adequate lift.
Increased Risk Of Lightning Due To Climate Change
The likelihood of severe storms, especially in the eastern parts of the United States, is increasing. A study estimates that global warming could increase lightning incidents in the US by 12 per cent annually. Lightning can damage the electronic systems and equipment of large commercial aircraft.
Changing Jet Streams Could Lengthen Travel Time
In recent decades, scientists have observed changes in jet streams—fast-moving winds in the atmosphere that flow from west to east between warm and cold air boundaries. Research suggests that changing wind patterns could affect travel times in the Northern Hemisphere, possibly lengthening westbound flights and speeding up eastbound flights. These changes can impact route scheduling and fuel costs.
Increased Air Turbulence
Jet streams cause strong wind gusts at high altitudes. Incidents of this have increased in recent years. Jet streams are considered more dangerous because pilots cannot see them. They cannot be detected by radar or satellites. The likelihood of air turbulence in clear air is higher during winter months. A recent study found that between 1979 and 2020, incidents of air turbulence in the US increased by 41 per cent. Climate change is considered the main reason for this.
Coastal Airports at Increased Risk Due to Rising Storms
Global warming increases heat, causing sea levels to rise and creating conditions for coastal flooding during regular high tides and coastal storms. This makes aircraft operations difficult at coastal airports.
India Has A Total of 137 Airports
The Airports Authority of India manages a total of 137 airports in the country, including 24 international airports, 10 customs airports and 103 domestic airports. AAI provides air navigation services over 2.8 million square nautical miles of airspace. On November 19, 2023, airlines in India carried 456,910 domestic passengers, the highest daily air traffic since the pandemic hit. In 2023, 60 new RCS routes were introduced under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, with 154 new RCS routes provided under UDAN. Twelve new RCS routes were launched in the northeast. More than 9.1 million passengers benefited from the Digi Yatra facility and over 3.5 million users downloaded the app.
(Note: This story has been translated by Ankit Kumar for Jagran English.)
Summary:
Title: Impact of Climate Change on Aviation Industry and Rising Turbulence Incidents
Key Points:
- Recent Incidents of Turbulence:
- A major accident was narrowly avoided on Singapore Airlines due to severe turbulence, causing the death of a 73-year-old British passenger and injuring 30 others.
- Kannada film actor Dhruva Sarja experienced severe turbulence while traveling to Kashmir, with the plane dropping nearly 4,000 feet suddenly.
- Climate Change and Increased Turbulence:
- Experts suggest that climate change is increasing the frequency of turbulence incidents.
- A study by the University of Reading predicts that air turbulence incidents will more than double in northern Indian airspace after 2050.
- Jet streams, intensified by climate change, are the main cause of this turbulence.
- Challenges for the Aviation Industry:
- Climate change has led to more extreme weather events, making navigation and scheduling difficult for pilots.
- Rising temperatures make it challenging for planes to take off, requiring longer runways and increasing fuel consumption.
- Aircraft contribute significantly to atmospheric pollution, which exacerbates climate change.
- Types of Turbulence:
- Light Turbulence: Minor movements, often unnoticed by passengers.
- Moderate Turbulence: More significant movement, can cause drinks to spill.
- Severe Turbulence: Extreme movement, can throw unbelted passengers around.
- Impact on Aviation Operations:
- Increased risk of lightning, particularly in the eastern U.S., can damage aircraft systems.
- Changing jet streams may lengthen travel times and affect scheduling.
- Coastal airports are at increased risk due to rising sea levels and storms.
- India’s Aviation Sector:
- The Airports Authority of India manages 137 airports, with significant increases in air traffic and new routes under various schemes.
- Initiatives like Digi Yatra have benefited millions of passengers.
Conclusion:
Climate change is posing significant challenges to the aviation industry, increasing the frequency and severity of turbulence, impacting flight operations, and necessitating adjustments in response to extreme weather conditions. The industry is actively seeking ways to mitigate these effects and ensure passenger safety.
Source: Jagran English, translated by Ankit Kumar.