Singapore has become the first to classify violent air movements as a major inflight threat, placing them in the same category as midair collisions and unauthorized runway incursions. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said abrupt and invisible wind shifts that can violently jolt an aircraft without warning must now be treated as a “state-level operational safety risk.”
Turbulence is a part of flying, but it can still catch passengers off guard (especially those who’re new to flying). Generally, pilots and air traffic controllers (ATC) plan routes to avoid bad weather, yet there are times when turbulence is both unavoidable and unpredictable. In recent years, there has been a rise in clear-air turbulence incidents worldwide, and it has been linked to climate change, a factor which Singapore has also cited as the reason.
Recent Incidents Prompted Singapore To Classify Turbulence As A Major Threat
In May last year, a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 flying from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence over Burma. The aircraft flew into rolling air currents that shook it so violently that unbelted passengers and crew were thrown into the cabin ceiling before crashing back to the floor. A 73-year-old passenger died of a heart attack, and dozens of others sustained injuries. Just a few months later, in September, another 
Singapore Airlines-operated flight to Guangzhou struck turbulence over Hong Kong, which injured a passenger and a cabin crew member.
These incidents highlighted the growing danger of turbulence and prompted the country to classify it as a major threat. The CAAS has introduced 45 new safety actions for its airlines. “The recent spate of serious aviation safety incidents around the world is a timely reminder that we must stay vigilant and not take safety for granted,” said Han Kok Juan, Director General of the CAAS.
Other Asian carriers have also adjusted onboard procedures to minimize risks. Crews are making wider use of the seatbelt sign and changing how hot drinks are served. Korean Air has even removed ramen noodles from its inflight menu to prevent scalding injuries during unexpected turbulence.
What Turbulence Is And How Different Forms Develop
Turbulence is basically the rapid and unpredictable movement of bodies of air due to a disruption in airflow. It can be caused by various factors, including mountainous terrain, jet streams, and storms. Aviation authorities classify it into several types, depending on how and where it develops. One of the most familiar examples is wake turbulence, the swirling air left behind when a large aircraft passes through an air mass.
The larger the aircraft, the more severe the wake, which is why smaller planes are often given spacing alerts by ATC. Convective turbulence is another type that forms inside thunderstorms, where strong updrafts and downdrafts create unstable conditions. Then there is mountain wave turbulence, which develops when strong winds are forced over a range and cascade down the leeward side, producing long waves of disturbed air that can extend for hundreds of miles.
These types are generally more predictable and can usually be avoided by adjusting routes or altitude. Clear-air turbulence, however, is often considered the most unpredictable. It develops at high altitudes near jet streams when fast-moving air collides with slower currents. Because there are no visible signs, and it cannot be picked up on radar, it often strikes without warning.
Clear-Air Turbulence Is On The Rise And Hard To Predict
Clear-air turbulence most often develops in the upper atmosphere, typically between 23,000 and 39,000 feet in the region known as the tropopause. It is mainly caused by wind shear, when there is a sharp change in wind speed or direction between two layers of air. Unlike turbulence linked to storms or visible cloud formations, these sudden shifts occur in otherwise clear skies. According to Flightradar24, several key factors shape where and when clear-air turbulence forms.
Jet streams are the most common, with winds that can exceed 160 miles per hour. Sudden temperature differences, such as warmer air inside a jet stream meeting cooler air nearby, can also set off disturbances. Mountains can also play a role, as strong winds flowing over peaks are pushed upward and disturb the air above.
Simple Flying has previously reported on an Aerolíneas Argentinas Boeing 737 MAX 8 that experienced immense wing flex amid moderate turbulence as it flew over mountainous regions. Additionally, larger atmospheric patterns such as Rossby waves and the Coriolis effect can shift the jet stream and create strong wind shear.
In recent years, the number of such incidents has been rising. Researchers link this increase to climate change, which is intensifying jet streams and producing sharper variations in temperature and wind speed. Projections suggest that as these atmospheric conditions intensify, clear-air turbulence will become more frequent, adding to the safety risks already seen in recent accidents.
Pilots Are Trained Extensively To Manage Turbulence
Though turbulence can be uncomfortable for passengers, for pilots, it is part of normal operations, and they are trained extensively to deal with it. They study meteorology, aerodynamics, and aircraft handling as part of their Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) qualification, according to BGS. Before every flight, the crew receives a weather briefing that highlights areas of potential turbulence along the route.
This information helps them decide whether adjustments to altitude or flight path may be needed to avoid the roughest air. Furthermore, pilots are trained to recognize a range of signs that point to turbulence. The Bold Method, a website specializing in general aviation information, lists eight such indicators. Some are visible, such as clouds with jagged or rolling edges, while others are atmospheric changes like rapid wind shifts, temperature inversions, or strong surface winds near obstacles.
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Eight Signs Of Turbulence |
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|---|---|
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Sign |
What It Means |
|
Mountain Waves |
Strong winds flowing over mountains create oscillating air currents that cause turbulence downwind |
|
Convective Currents |
On hot days, rising warm air and slower descending cool air create turbulence at lower altitudes |
|
Rapid Wind Changes |
Sharp shifts in wind speed or direction at different altitudes signal potential turbulence or wind shear |
|
PIREPs |
Pilot reports (PIREPs) shared with ATC provide real-time updates on turbulence conditions |
|
Strong Surface Winds Near Obstructions |
Buildings, terrain, or other obstacles disrupt airflow, producing turbulence close to the ground |
|
Frontal Passage |
Boundaries between warm and cold air masses, especially unstable ones, can generate significant turbulence |
|
Temperature Inversions |
At the boundary between a warm inversion layer and cooler surrounding air, turbulence often develops |
|
Jagged or Rolling Clouds |
Irregular, uneven cloud formations typically indicate unstable air and turbulent conditions |
Once airborne, the first precaution is the seatbelt sign. Pilots activate it as soon as turbulence is likely, and if bumps occur unexpectedly, it is switched on immediately alongside a cabin announcement. This measure, though simple, prevents many of the injuries caused when unbelted passengers or crew are thrown around the cabin. If turbulence persists, crews can request a change of altitude from air traffic control to seek smoother air.
Besides, modern jets are equipped with weather radar that can detect turbulence inside storm systems, which gives pilots the chance to adjust their course. Even aircraft themselves are designed to withstand such situations. Wings, fuselage sections, and critical components are built to flex in turbulent air, which reduces the stress placed on the structure.
New Innovations Aim To Predict And Counteract Turbulence
Beyond pilot training and aircraft design, new technology is being developed to better detect or even counteract turbulence. As reported by the BBC, an Austrian start-up called Turbulence Solutions has designed a system for light aircraft that actively cancels out turbulent air. Sensors detect changes in airflow and send signals to wing flaps, which move to offset the disturbance. According to the company’s CEO, this can reduce moderate turbulence by as much as 80% in smaller aircraft.
Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) is also being tested as a tool to improve safety. At the California Institute of Technology, researchers are working on Fourier Adaptive Learning and Control (FALCON), a system that uses real-time data to learn how air flows across a wing. By anticipating turbulence before it fully develops, the system can adjust control surfaces automatically to smooth the ride.
Other AI applications are being designed to predict dangerous shifts in jet streams, giving crews more warning of conditions that would otherwise strike without notice. At the same time, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has introduced its ‘Turbulence Aware’ platform, which allows aircraft to share live turbulence data with others flying nearby.
Turbulence Forecasting Improves, But It Remains Unavoidable
Taken together, the picture is clear. Regulators now consider turbulence a top operational risk, and crews have strong procedures and tools to manage it. New technology and data sharing add early warning, yet no system can remove turbulence from flying. For passengers, there is no way to avoid turbulence once on board. When it happens, the only option is to ride it out.
That being said, where you sit in the cabin can make a difference. Movements are felt most strongly at the back of the aircraft, while seats near the front or over the wing feel less movement because they sit closer to the aircraft’s center of gravity. The most effective step any passenger can take is also the simplest: keep the seatbelt fastened whenever seated. Many of the most serious turbulence injuries occur when people are thrown from their seats onto the ceiling.
But, in recent years, forecasting has improved, which helps in planning and making crew decisions. As reported by the BBC, Professor Paul Williams, an Atmospheric Scientist at the University of Reading, says that about 75% of clear-air turbulence can now be forecast, compared with roughly 60% two decades ago. While it is still far from perfect, research and technology continue to narrow the gap, helping crews prepare for conditions that remain one of aviation’s most unpredictable hazards.
