‘By 2050, warming will make air travel bumpier

London:Air travel is all set to get bumpier on transatlantic flights.
    A first of its kind study has found that climate change will affect aviation by increasing air turbulence and causing flights to get bumpier. The study found that, by the middle of this century the chances of encountering significant turbulence will increase by between 40% and 170%, with the most likely outcome being a doubling of the airspace containing significant turbulence at any time.
    The average strength of turbulence will also increase by between 10% and 40%. The aviation industry has long been accused of contributing to climate change. Now the study finds that rise in carbon dioxide emissions, longer journey times and increased fuel consumption will cause severe turbulence.
    Dr Paul Williams from the University of Reading, together with Dr Manoj Joshi from the University of East Anglia, analysed supercomputer simulations of the atmospheric jet stream over the North Atlantic Ocean. Dr Williams said: “Most air passengers will have experienced the uncomfortable feeling of mid-flight air turbulence. Our research suggests that we’ll be seeing the ‘fasten seatbelts’ sign turned on more often in the decades ahead. Air turbulence does more than just interrupt the service of in-flight drinks. It injures hundreds of passengers and aircrew every year—sometimes fatally. It also causes delays and damages planes.