Salt Lake City ranks among top U.S. airports for turbulence

A recent turbulence incident raises questions about flight safety at Salt Lake City's airport.

Salt Lake City ranks fourth in turbulence among U.S. airports

Salt Lake City International Airport has ranked fourth among North America's airports for turbulence, according to data from Turbli, a website that analyzes turbulence based on eddy dissipation rates. This ranking follows an event where 25 individuals were injured on a Delta Air Lines flight after it encountered severe turbulence over Wyoming, forcing it to divert to Minneapolis for medical assistance. While turbulence is common, such severe incidents are rare, especially on larger aircraft like the Airbus A330-900neo. Despite Salt Lake City’s high ranking, the data indicates that most flights are subject to only light turbulence. Researchers suggest that climate change is likely to impact turbulence patterns, especially along southern U.S. routes. Current forecasting tools are available, but accuracy diminishes further from departure, with turbulence predictions being about 75% reliable.

The turbulence incident at Salt Lake City Airport serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the aviation industry. While high turbulence rankings may cause concern among travelers, the fact that most flights are only lightly affected can provide some reassurance. As climate change continues to reshape weather patterns, its impact on air travel cannot be neglected. Improved forecasting tools may help mitigate the effects of turbulence, yet the overall unpredictability remains a concern that airlines and passengers must navigate together.

Highlights

With advancements in forecasting, future travel may become safer and more predictable despite turbulence.