Picture this: you’re on board Qatar Airways flight QR960, travelling from Doha to Denpasar. Your flight is smoothly cruising at 37,000 feet over the Bay of Bengal, when suddenly – clear air turbulence! This was the reality for the passengers on this flight, as the unexpected severe turbulence led to several injuries on board and an unplanned detour to Bangkok.
The Drama in the Air
On Wednesday evening, the unforeseen bout of turbulence hit the flight, causing a sudden shift in the journey. The 12-year-old Boeing 777-300ER, with the registration A7-BAN, was forced to divert to Bangkok’s airport, deviating from its original route to Bali. It was an unexpected turn of events that happened less than six hours into the flight.
Just about half an hour after the turbulence, the aircraft touched down in Bangkok, around 18:00 ICT. With safety being a top priority, this diversion allowed affected passengers and crew members to seek immediate medical assistance. Thankfully, no damage was reported to the aircraft itself, highlighting the resilience of the Boeing 777-300ER.
Overnight in Bangkok
Following the abrupt landing, the aircraft remained in Bangkok overnight. However, Qatar Airways took measures to ensure passengers were taken care of. According to the airline, all passengers were provided with meals and accommodation during their unexpected Thai stopover.
The flight resumed on Thursday afternoon, with the newly designated flight QTR960D. The continued journey was a near four-hour-hop between Bangkok and Denpasar, landing at 21:41 WITA.
Qatar Airways Response
In a formal statement shared on Twitter, the Doha-based carrier confirmed the incident and provided some additional details. “Qatar Airways flight QR960 from Doha to Denpasar diverted to Bangkok following an encounter with clear air turbulence, which resulted in some moderate and a few minor injuries on board. Upon landing safely, the aircraft was met by medical teams to provide assistance to affected individuals,” Qatar Airways wrote.
They continued, “Qatar Airways is providing all passengers with meals and overnight accommodation in Bangkok and will continue the flight to Denpasar tomorrow (May 11). We regret any inconvenience this has caused to our passengers. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remains our top priority.”
Indeed, the safety of passengers and crew is paramount in aviation. This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the need for swift and responsive action when unforeseen circumstances arise.
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