Commentary: The way Singapore Airlines handled SQ321 turbulence crisis is a lesson for other carriers

File photo of SIA cabin crew and the interior of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 after an emergency landing at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport on May 21, 2024. On Tuesday , the Boeing 777-300ER jet met sudden severe turbulence over the skies of Myanmar, which sent some passengers crashing into the overhead compartments.

SIA’s rapid actions and clear communications have been widely lauded, starting with the pilot’s decision to land in Bangkok, instead of Yangon. The airline has a bigger station in the Thai capital and medical facilities there could cope better with the emergency. By that evening, an SIA relief plane left for Bangkok. SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong met returning passengers on arrival early Wednesday morning and also flew to meet those still in Bangkok.Five months earlier, the world witnessed how a calm and collected Japan Airlines crew swiftly steered all 367 passengers out of a burning Airbus A350 at Haneda airport, with no major injuries. Their rigorous training, including 90-second evacuation drills, paid off.

That tragedy was marred by initial confusion and miscommunication, after inaccurate and uncorroborated information were made public, causing widespread anger and criticism.Last year, American discount carrier Southwest Airlines was fined US$140 million for its shambolic cancellation of 17,000 flights due to a winter storm during Christmas 2022 that left 2 million passengers stranded. Southwest had been criticised for not taking responsibility during the crisis and its poor communications.

In the past two years, conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran have forced airlines to avoid large swathes of airspace in the Middle East and Europe, causing flights to be rerouted, resulting in loss of time and money.Then there are weather hazards. Besides turbulence, other challenges include wind shear, icing and weather conditions that require pilots to fly primarily by reference to flight instruments instead of visual references .

Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)

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