Airlines are set to urge aeroplane passengers to wear their seatbelts throughout flights in a new safety push following the death of a 73-year-old Singapore Airlines passenger during extreme turbulence.

Safety teams at a number of companies are believed to be considering how best to compel their customers to stay strapped in even if the seatbelt sign is off, according to The Times.

Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from Heathrow on May 21 saw the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft plummet 6,000ft amid terrifying turbulence which left Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, dead and 30 more passengers injured.

As airlines around the world fear that they could be the next to suffer a serious incident, 21 across the world have reportedly signed up to the International Air Transport Association’s ‘turbulence aware’ programme.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority – responsible for the regulation of aviation safety in Britain – currently says: ‘You are recommended to keep your belt fastened throughout the flight, and must do so whenever the “seat belt” sign is on.’ 

Airlines are set to urge aeroplane passengers to wear their seatbelts throughout flights in a new safety push following the horrific result of turbulence on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 on May 21 (aftermath pictured)

Airlines are set to urge aeroplane passengers to wear their seatbelts throughout flights in a new safety push following the horrific result of turbulence on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 on May 21 (aftermath pictured)

The health and safety crackdown comes after 73-year-old grandfather Geoffrey Kitchen died during the 'extreme' turbulence

The health and safety crackdown comes after 73-year-old grandfather Geoffrey Kitchen died during the ‘extreme’ turbulence

The UK Civil Aviation Authority - responsible for the regulation of aviation safety in Britain - currently says: 'You are recommended to keep your belt fastened throughout the flight, and must do so whenever the "seat belt" sign is on'

The UK Civil Aviation Authority – responsible for the regulation of aviation safety in Britain – currently says: ‘You are recommended to keep your belt fastened throughout the flight, and must do so whenever the “seat belt” sign is on’

Sir Tim Clark, president of the airline Emirates, told the Times: ‘We’ve had our own fair share of issues.

‘Not as bad as Singapore Airlines, but let’s be quite honest, it’s a real race and the whole industry is now upping in the game with regard to making sure that passengers are strapped in. We are looking at all the protocols.’

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson commented: ‘The health, safety and security of our customers and people is always our top priority. We keep our policies under constant review and take all industry occurrences into consideration to continuously strengthen our safety management approach.’

Singapore Airlines has already tweaked its policy after the May 21 incident – no longer providing hot drinks and meals when the seatbelt sign is on.

It took more than 10 hours of the scheduled 13-hour flight from London to Singapore for passengers to be plunged into three minutes of utter chaos, when the aircraft dropped some 6,000ft near the Gulf of Martabar between 8:06am and 8:09am.

Seconds before then, with the seatbelt sign turned off, some had got up from their seats to stretch their legs while pleasant and professional crewmembers distributed the refreshments.

Others lounged in their comfortable seats, seatbelts undone, and finished off their breakfast as the aircraft soared peacefully through the skies above Myanmar at around 37,000ft. 

Those who were unfortunate enough to be standing were volleyed into the ceiling, performing involuntary somersaults before slamming back down to the floor, their bodies viciously contorted by the sudden G-force and the awkward landing.

Passengers who had relaxed in their chairs without a seatbelt were lifted up, in many cases smacking their skulls into the overhead cabins and sustaining savage cuts and lacerations.

Of the 211 passengers and 18 crew on board, more than 100 people received first aid and dozens were taken to hospital.

Meanwhile, 73-year-old British grandfather Mr Kitchen suffered a fatal heart attack, such was the severity of the turbulence.

Pilots quickly decided to perform an emergency diversion and began their descent to land in Bangkok shortly after. 

Early findings by The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) show that the plane experienced a rapid change in acceleration upwards and downwards causing injuries to those without seatbelts on. 

Bradley Richards, a telecoms engineer from Benfleet, Essex, described the experience as like ‘something out of a movie – and fears that he will no longer be able to continue his line of work after suffering life-changing injuries. 

The interior of Singapore Airline flight SG321 is pictured after emergency landing

Pictured: Passengers are seen in the cabin after the incident, with oxygen masks dangling from above

The interior of Singapore Airline flight SG321 is pictured after emergency landing

After around 10 hours of flying time from take off in London, the aircraft sharply dropped 6,000 feet in just five minutes, causing chaos in the cabin. In pictures of the aftermath, one air stewardess was seen with blood over her face (pictured)

After around 10 hours of flying time from take off in London, the aircraft sharply dropped 6,000 feet in just five minutes, causing chaos in the cabin. In pictures of the aftermath, one air stewardess was seen with blood over her face (pictured)

Turbulence is the bane of any long-haul flight, but this natural phenomenon can be far more than simply annoying

Turbulence is the bane of any long-haul flight, but this natural phenomenon can be far more than simply annoying

The 29-year-old  suffered six neck and spine fractures as he was knocked unconscious. 

Though this was the latest in a string of incidents to take place on one of Boeing’s 777 jets, experts have claimed neither the manufacturer nor the airline could have helped prevent the ‘freak’ accident.

The triple sevens are among the bestselling long haul aircraft in the world, and were the first commercial jets designed entirely by computer. 

But since coming into service in 1995, they have been at the centre of a number of controversies – including in April when a whistleblower accused Boeing of taking shortcuts when building it. 

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