Avianca Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Miami After Severe Turbulence

An Avianca flight en route from Medellin, Colombia, to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York made an emergency landing in Miami early Friday after severe turbulence injured nine people.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported that one person was transported to a trauma center with severe injuries, while seven others were taken to local hospitals by ambulance. The airline confirmed that three crew members and six passengers were affected by the turbulence. The aircraft involved was an Airbus A320.

Avianca stated that passengers who were not injured were rebooked on alternative flights to New York. The airline emphasized that the safety of its customers and employees is a primary operational concern.

While serious injuries from in-flight turbulence are uncommon, experts suggest that such incidents may become more frequent as climate change influences the jet stream. The International Air Transport Association noted a more than 25% increase in reported turbulence incidents last year.

Last summer, a Delta Air Lines flight experienced significant turbulence over Wyoming, attributed to a thunderstorm. That incident resulted in 24 people being hospitalized. The National Transportation Safety Board reported that passengers and flight attendants on the Delta flight were forcefully thrown into the cabin's ceiling, causing damage to interior panels, before being thrown back down and then up again. The seat belt sign was reportedly off at the time, and drinks were being served when the turbulence occurred.

Following the Delta incident, at least 20 passengers filed lawsuits against the airline, alleging that Delta could have avoided the severe weather conditions.

The Federal Aviation Administration advises passengers to remain buckled whenever possible to mitigate risks associated with unexpected turbulence.