Korean Air Adjusts In-flight Meal Service Amid Rising Turbulence Incidents

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - South Korean flag carrier Korean Air recently decided to adjust its in-flight meal policy on medium and long-haul flights to prioritize passenger and crew safety. Starting July 1, meals will be served earlier to allow cabin crew to fully focus on safety procedures during the final 40 minutes before landing.

The change comes in response to a recent increase in turbulence incidents. In a statement quoted by the Korea Times, the airline emphasized the need for cabin crew to focus on ensuring passenger and crew safety during descent, a time statistically more prone to turbulence.

Korean Air has a history of adjusting meal service based on safety concerns. Previously, the airline stopped service only 20 minutes before landing.

Turbulence on the Rise

On June 22, 2024, Korean Air experienced an uncontrolled drop in cabin pressure on a flight to Taiwan, resulting in the hospitalization of 13 passengers. The flight carrying 125 passengers departed from Incheon International Airport.

In May 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence during breakfast service, causing passenger injuries and one fatality. The SQ321 was flying over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar.

Reports suggested that a 73-year-old British passenger died of a suspected heart attack, while several others suffered spinal, brain, and skull injuries.

Turbulence always poses a threat during descent due to the large temperature differences between altitudes. The global aviation industry reported that turbulence incidents more than doubled in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous five years. 

This trend aligns with predictions from climate scientists who warn of an increase in severe turbulence due to global warming.

VN EXPRESS | TRAVEL WEEKLY

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