As the world marks International Civil Aviation Day, aviation expert and industry leader, Captain Evarest Nnaji, popularly known as Odengene, has offered a detailed and reassuring explanation of what air turbulence really means—cutting through widespread myths and passenger anxiety with clear, authoritative insights.
Captain Nnaji stressed the unmatched reliability of the aviation industry, saying “Aviation remains the most reliable, effective, efficient and safest mode of transportation in the world. Air turbulence may feel uncomfortable, but it is a normal part of flight—one for which aircraft are designed, and pilots are expertly trained.”
He noted that turbulence is one of the most misunderstood aspects of flying. For many travelers, any sudden movement sparks fear, even though, as he explained, “Air turbulence is well-studied, well-managed and—contrary to public perception—rarely a threat to the safety of an aircraft.”
Explaining the science behind it, Captain Nnaji said turbulence occurs when an aircraft encounters rough air pockets formed by atmospheric interference such as moisture, mist, fog, smog, steam, dew, haze and vapour. According to him, “When these elements enter the atmosphere, they reduce the richness of air molecules and create visible air pockets known as clouds. These clouds have poor air molecules which cannot support the smooth flow of rich air over the aircraft’s wings, thereby causing turbulence.”
He added that cloud formations vary widely, forming different types—Stratus, Stratocumulus, Cumulonimbus, Nimbostratus, Altostratus, Altocumulus, Cirrus and Cirrostratus—each with its own behaviour and strength.
A more serious cause of turbulence, he explained, is thunderstorms. “A thunderstorm is a weather system that includes lightning, thunder, heavy rain, strong winds and sometimes hail. They can form from large towering cumulonimbus clouds or rapidly in rising unstable air,” he said.
Thunderstorms come in four categories—light, moderate, severe and extreme—but Captain Nnaji stressed that aircraft never fly through the dangerous ones. “Severe and extreme thunderstorms may appear scary, but pilots and air traffic controllers avoid them using radar, weather reports and satellite data,” he explained.
He also highlighted Clear Air Turbulence (CAT), a type with no visible warning signs. “CAT can form at any altitude and has no visible pattern. Pilots may run into it suddenly, but once a pilot encounters CAT, a PIREP is immediately filed so other aircraft in the region can prepare for it,” he said.
On aircraft capability, Captain Nnaji reassured passengers that today’s planes are more than equipped to withstand turbulent conditions. “Modern aircraft are structurally designed to handle all forms of turbulence. Each aircraft model undergoes bench-tests far stronger than anything it will encounter in real bad weather before certification by the FAA or EASA,” he noted.
He emphasized that turbulence cannot bring down an aircraft. “Your aircraft may shake, dip, rock and rattle in flight, but it will never fall off the sky due to air turbulence,” he said. “Pilots are also trained extensively to navigate turbulence safely.”
Turning to passenger safety, Captain Nnaji identified the real risk: sudden cabin movement. “The main danger passengers can encounter is the sudden jolts that can cause them to fall or hit their heads on cabin consoles,” he said. Movement inside the cabin, he added, can also affect the aircraft’s balance.
But he maintained that these risks are entirely avoidable. “All this can be completely avoided by simply ensuring you are seated with your seatbelt fastened,” he said. “Stay calm, keep your seatbelt fastened. The aircraft is built to withstand it.”
Captain Nnaji urged passengers to remember one thing above all: “It may be turbulent, but it is not dangerous.”
Captain Evarest Nnaji is both FAA (USA) and NCAA (Nigeria) licensed and serves as Group Chairman of OAS Helicopters, a leading player in Nigeria’s oil and gas aviation sector. He is also a widely respected businessman and philanthropist.
