In a recent interview on CBS' "Face the Nation," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the impact of climate change on air travel, specifically the rise in flight turbulence. He expressed concern that turbulence will continue to affect American travelers both domestically and internationally.

Buttigieg emphasized that the effects of climate change have already begun to impact transportation systems. He cited examples such as unprecedented heat waves endangering transit cables in the Pacific Northwest and increasingly intense hurricane seasons. According to the Transportation Secretary, there has been a 15% increase in turbulence, causing disturbances for passengers during flight.

A study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters last year confirmed the rise in clear-air turbulence (CAT) between 1979 and 2020. The study revealed a 55% increase in "severe-or-greater" turbulence over the North Atlantic during that time period. Buttigieg highlighted the need to assess and address these climate-related challenges.

Recent incidents have demonstrated the disruptive nature of turbulence. One such case involved a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Dublin, which experienced turbulence over Turkey on Sunday, resulting in injuries to 12 people. Emergency services were on standby at Dublin Airport to assist affected passengers.

Another incident involved a Singapore Airlines flight that encountered severe turbulence, tragically causing one fatality and injuring 30 others. Buttigieg acknowledged that while such occurrences are rare, turbulence can still happen unexpectedly. He emphasized the importance of continually re-evaluating protocols and patterns to mitigate the impact of more frequent and severe turbulence events.

In light of these incidents and the need for heightened safety measures, Boeing announced a significant increase in employee submissions regarding quality and safety concerns. Following a mid-flight incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 plane blowing out a section, Boeing reported a 500% surge in employee reports in the first two months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. The company viewed this increase as a positive indication of progress and commitment to reporting issues.

Transportation Secretary Buttigieg commended Boeing's efforts to encourage a robust reporting culture among aviation employees. He stated that it is encouraging to see employees adopting a "see something, say something" mindset. However, Buttigieg expressed concern over the occurrence of these safety and quality issues in the first place.

Boeing leaders are scheduled to meet with the Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday to present their plan for enhancing quality control. This meeting comes after the agency's directive for Boeing to develop a comprehensive improvement plan within 90 days.

As flight turbulence incidents continue to affect travelers, Secretary Buttigieg stressed the need for a proactive approach to address the impact of climate change on air travel. He called for continuous evaluation and improvement in order to adapt infrastructure, technology, and policies to the evolving climate conditions.

In a time when air travel safety and climate change are prominent concerns, the transportation industry is facing new challenges that require careful attention and action.