A Qatar Airways plane from Doha to Dublin went through big air bumps over Turkey on Sunday. This caused 12 people to get hurt when the plane landed in Dublin. Six passengers and six crew members reported injuries. Eight people had to go to the hospital.
The plane dropped suddenly for a few seconds during snack and drink service. This made food and drinks spill everywhere. One person said there was food “all over the plane, on the ceiling, everywhere.” Other people saw crew members limping after the bumpy air. One passenger had to get oxygen because of a back injury.
Singapore Airlines Flight Also Hit Bumps, 1 Person Died
Just a few days earlier, a Singapore Airlines flight to Mumbai also went through extreme air bumps. Over 100 people were hurt and one 73-year-old British man sadly died. Around 20 people had spine injuries and went to intensive care.
The airline CEO apologized and said there will be an investigation into what caused the terrible bumpy air.
Climate Change May Make Air Travel Bumpier
Some scientists think climate change is making turbulence or bumpy air on planes worse. As global temperatures rise, the jet streams that guide weather patterns become more unstable and turbulent.
One scientist said injuries from turbulence could increase by 149% by 2050 because of climate change.
How to Stay Safe During Bumps
Here are some tips to stay safe if a plane hits bumpy air:
- Keep seatbelts fastened when sitting, even if the light is off
- Hold onto loose items tightly
- Don’t have hot drinks or food on tray tables
- Listen to crew instructions immediately
- Sit over the wings, which moves less
Turbulence is normal but can be scary. Following safety rules helps prevent bad injuries. As climate changes, passengers may experience more bumpy flights in the future.