NOW PLAYING
(KXRM) – Multiple people required medical care after nearly two dozen flights were diverted in Colorado amid “significant turbulence” on Monday.
The Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS) confirmed that 22 aircraft, including four international flights, were diverted to the southern Colorado city from Denver due to severe weather.
Officials said “several passengers … [reported] medical concerns and required evaluation by emergency medical personnel” at COS. At least one passenger was taken to the hospital, Nexstar’s KXRM reported.
“Colorado Springs Airport remained open and operational throughout the event,” a spokesperson from COS Airport said. “COS and CSFD appreciate the coordinated efforts of airport personnel, airline partners, emergency responders and supporting agencies.”
The flights arrived between roughly 4:40 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, but had all departed the airport by 10 p.m. local time.
Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Jack Young
Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Jack Young
Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Jack Young
Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Jack Young
Denver is considered one of the most turbulent airports in the country, and in some cases, it’s because of what are known as “mountain waves.” As air moves over the nearby Rocky Mountains, it can cause turbulent waves across the Eastern Plains, Nexstar’s KDVR explains.
When paired with thunderstorms, heat, or other weather patterns, it can make flights coming into Denver turbulent.
Routine turbulence may be annoying, but it typically isn’t dangerous. “Pilots handle that every single day. They know how to deal with it,” Dave Cunningham, director of operations at Denver International Airport, told KDVR last year.
There are cases in which it’s concerning, however.
A year ago, two people were taken to the hospital after their SkyWest flight from Aspen, Colorado, to Houston, experienced turbulence and dropped more than 4,000 feet in a minute.
Last summer, 25 people aboard a Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam were taken to the hospital after their flight experienced serious turbulence and was forced to make an emergency landing in Minneapolis. Several passengers were not wearing seatbelts and were thrown around the cabin, a passenger said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Add as preferred source on Google Tags Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Airport Colorado Springs Fire Department COS COS Airport CSFD Denver Denver International Airport DIACopyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comments: Link copiedMore Transportation News
See All
Transportation Which 3 airports are switching over to TSA Gold+ and when? by Michael Bartiromo 3 days ago Transportation / 3 days ago 
