Singapore has become the first state to classify severe air turbulence as a major in-flight threat, placing it alongside mid-air collisions and unauthorised runway incursions.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said abrupt, invisible wind shifts that jolt aircraft without warning must now be treated as a “state-level operational safety risk”. Climate change is cited as the main factor behind the growing number of clear-air turbulence incidents worldwide, which are the leading cause of in-flight injuries.
Two serious events involving Singapore Airlines last year highlighted the danger. In May, a Boeing 777 flying from London to Singapore encountered violent turbulence over Burma. A 73-year-old passenger died of a heart attack, and dozens of others were injured. In September, a Guangzhou-bound flight suffered injuries to a passenger and a cabin crew member over Hong Kong.
“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, CAAS director general, as the authority outlined 45 safety measures for national airlines.
Other Asian carriers have revised crew procedures, including seatbelt use and methods of serving hot drinks. Singapore, Korea, and Japan have also urged the International Civil Aviation Organisation to recognise turbulence as a threat in its 2026 global safety plan.
Global efforts include IATA’s Turbulence Aware programme, which shares real-time turbulence data between aircraft, and AI research to predict dangerous jet stream shifts caused by extreme weather.