Asian Aviation officials are calling for global action to reduce injuries from turbulence

Asian Aviation officials are demanding global action to reduce injuries from turbulence, with recent high-profile incidents driving calls to “improve forecasting across borders”, according to a Reuters article. The call from the officials came at a recent Montreal gathering of regulators. 

The Reuters article explains that while turbulence does not frequently cause fatalities, it is “the leading cause of accidents”, according to data from the U.N.'s aviation agency. Furthermore, the piece notes that “severe weather patterns brought about by climate change could lead to more incidents.” 

This is reportedly one of several issues being tackled by global regulators at the International Civil Aviation Organization's air navigation conference which runs through Sept 6. 

Reuters reports that concern about turbulence on planes have heightened “since a Singapore Airlines flight from London in May encountered a severe incident leading to one death and dozens of injuries. Countries like Japan, Korea and Singapore want turbulence added as a category in ICAO's 2026 Global Aviation Safety Plan, which outlines industry priorities, according to event working papers. ICAO said a decision will be taken by its 193 member states at its triennial assembly next year.” 

There are calls for ICAO to “improve real time coordination of weather and turbulence data sharing across borders as countries take steps to make alerts more user friendly for pilots. Some countries in Asia are taking early steps to make that information, now usually sent in text format, more visually accessible.” 

40% of all accidents involving large aircraft in scheduled commercial operations were caused by turbulence, according to ICAO's 2024 Annual Safety Report. 

Korean Air said in August it would stop serving instant cup noodles, a popular snack in Korea known as ramyeon that requires boiling water, on its long-haul flights, part of changes in response to increased turbulence incidents.