Singapore Airlines has announced changes to its in-flight policies and altered a flight route following a severe turbulence incident that resulted in one fatality and left several injured.
The incident occurred on the SQ321 flight from London to Singapore, which was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok on Tuesday. The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft was carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members at the time of the incident.
Singapore Airlines Enhances Safety Measures
In response to the tragedy, Singapore Airlines stated that it would no longer serve hot beverages or meals when the seatbelt sign is on, aiming to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
The airline emphasized that reviewing and enhancing safety procedures is a priority and that it is committed to taking all necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
Additionally, Singapore Airlines has adjusted the usual route for its daily London-to-Singapore flights.
Since the incident, the airline has avoided flying over the part of Myanmar where the turbulence occurred. Instead, the flights have taken a detour over the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Tracking data confirms that the flight duration remains largely unaffected by this change.
As per CNN, the decision to alter the flight path and tighten safety measures comes after photographs from inside the plane showed significant damage, including gashes in the overhead cabin panels and dislodged oxygen masks.
The airline reported that 46 passengers and two crew members were hospitalized in Bangkok, with 20 of them in intensive care suffering from severe injuries, including spinal and skull injuries.
Singapore Airlines is recognized globally for its high standards in aviation safety and has not experienced any major incidents in recent years.
This recent response to the turbulence incident reaffirms the airline's commitment to maintaining its passengers' and crew's safety and well-being.
Investigation Reveals Causes of Turbulence
Last week, a severe turbulence incident on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 led to the death of a 73-year-old British man and injuries to dozens of passengers. The flight experienced a 54-meter altitude drop, causing those not buckled in to be momentarily airborne.
According to Al Jazeera, Singapore's Ministry of Transport revealed that the flight data indicated a rapid fluctuation in gravitational force, with vertical acceleration swinging from -1.5G to +1.5G in just four seconds.
This intense change resulted in an altitude reduction from 37,362 feet to 37,184 feet over 4.6 seconds, leading to the injuries.
Continuing investigations involve officials from Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau, U.S. regulators, and Boeing.
Singapore Airlines has expressed commitment to the safety of its passengers and crew, emphasizing that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
In response to the incident, Singapore Airlines has implemented stricter measures to handle in-flight turbulence, including halting meal services whenever the seatbelt sign is on, ensuring passenger safety remains a priority.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
