Extreme weather causes serious incidents: disruption of EasyJet flights and the sinking of a yacht in Sicily.
On August 19, a flight of easyJet from Corfu to London caused concern and panic with severe turbulence from extreme weather in Italy, resulting in injuries to two cabin crew members and an emergency landing in Rome. The incident raised questions about flight safety and airlines’ handling of extreme weather conditions, according to a DailyMail report.
easyJet flight U2-1449 departs Corfu Airport at 12:44 local time for London Gatwick. However, just 20 minutes after takeoff, the type of aircraft Airbus A320 encountered severe turbulence while at 28,000 feet traveling at 485 mph. These conditions caused serious injuries to two crew members who were preparing to serve food to passengers at the time.
The commotion was so intense that the two crew members found each other thrown to the sides of the plane, as a result of which the pilots made the decision to make an emergency landing at Fiumicino Airport in Rome. This decision was taken in order to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured and the safety of the passengers.
Crisis management and response
On the emergency landing in Rome, passengers and crew were met by easyJet and airport staff, while the injured crew members received immediate medical attention. The company acted quickly, arranging a change of crew and aircraft so that passengers could continue their journey to London that afternoon.
An easyJet spokesperson confirmed the incident, stressing that “The safety and well-being of passengers and crew is the company’s top priority.” He also emphasized that pilots are trained to deal with such situations as turbulence.
An investigation by the Italian Aviation Safety Agency
The Italian Aviation Safety Agency (ANSV) announced that it was opening an investigation into the incident. The agency will investigate whether the turbulence was unexpected, known as “clear-air turbulence,” or was detected by the plane’s radar but underestimated by the pilots.
At the same time, ANSV will investigate the pilots’ decision to head to Rome instead of closer airports such as Bari or Brindisi. This investigation is of particular importance due to the nature and severity of the injuries recorded.
Bigger picture: Extreme weather in Italy
The easyJet flight incident occurred during a period of extreme weather in southern Italy, causing significant damage and danger. It is important to note that a few hours before the accident the yacht “Bayesian”worth £30 million, capsized and sank off Sicily after being hit by a deadly jet of water, leaving at least six people missing, the report said.
This incident with the yacht, in combination with the turbulence that hit easyJet flights highlights the intensity and danger of weather events affecting the region, raising concerns about the safety of travel, both in the air and at sea.
The easyJet incident highlights the need for constant vigilance and preparedness in the face of extreme turbulence incidents that can threaten flight safety. The ANSV investigation is expected to shed light on the causes of the unrest and the decisions taken during the crisis. At the same time, questions are being raised about the management of extreme weather events and the training of crews in such conditions.
Airlines, aviation authorities and industry experts are being asked to review their procedures to ensure crews are properly equipped to deal with such challenges while ensuring the safety and comfort of their passengers.