IATA says turbulence incident reports surged more than 25% last year
An Avianca Airlines Airbus A320 traveling from Medellín, Colombia, to John F Kennedy International Airport in New York diverted to Miami International Airport early Friday after encountering severe turbulence, according to the FAA.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said one person was transported to a trauma center with severe injuries and seven others were taken to area hospitals by ambulance.
The FAA said the flight had been en route to New York when the crew diverted to Miami. Avianca said the unhurt passengers were rebooked on other flights to continue their trip to New York. The airline said “the safety of our customers and employees is, and will remain, the foundation of our operations.”
The incident comes amid a broader reported increase in turbulence encounters. The International Air Transport Association said the number of reports it received about turbulence incidents surged more than 25% last year.
Serious injuries from in-flight turbulence remain rare, but scientists say they may be becoming more common as the climate crisis alters the jet stream.
Last summer, 24 people were taken to the hospital after a Delta Air Lines flight encountered turbulence caused by a thunderstorm over Wyoming.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said passengers and flight attendants on the Delta flight were thrown into the ceiling with enough force to crack some of the interior panels before being tossed back to the floor and up again. The NTSB’s account said the seatbelt sign was off at the time, with some passengers up and drinks being served when the aircraft hit the turbulence.
At least 20 passengers have since filed lawsuits against Delta, arguing the carrier could have avoided the severe weather.
The FAA recommends that passengers stay buckled whenever possible to protect against unexpected turbulence.