Air India Phuket-Delhi flight suffers sudden 300-foot altitude loss, several passengers injured

Air India flight AI2379 travelling from Phuket to Delhi experienced turbulence-related event, resulting in minor injuries to 12 people, including passengers and crew members, sources told PTI.

The flight faced sudden loss of 300 feet in altitude. Pilot reported severe injury to one cabin crew member, as per a DGCA official.

The airline is providing all necessary support to those affected and are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities as part of the investigation.


"Air India confirms that flight AI2379, operating from Phuket to Delhi on 4 August, experienced a brief in-flight turbulence-related event during cruise, resulting in a momentary change in altitude. The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, and all passengers and crew have safely disembarked," the Tata Group-owned carrier said in a statement.

"There have been no serious injuries as of now. A small number of passengers and crew members with minor injuries requiring medical assessment have been taken to a medical facility at the airport for precautionary examination and care by Air India’s airport team and medical personnel," the spokesperson said.

Citing initial reports, the sources said 10 passengers and 2 cabin crew members suffered injuries.

The injured passengers were moved to Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj for medical treatment.

Sharing an update on passengers injured during Air India flight turbulence, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj said that seven passengers arrived at the facility, who have been admitted to the Emergency Department (ER). The doctors assessed all the patients immediately upon arrival, and initiated treatment without delay.

Following the initial stabilization of the patients, the hospital activated a Code Yellow to ensure a coordinated hospital response and optimal deployment of resources.

"After stabilization, the patients were shifted for the necessary radiological investigations (CT/MRI/X-rays, as clinically indicated) and are now being transferred to their respective inpatient rooms for continued observation and further management," Fortis said.

Air India coordination team is present at the hospital and is working closely with the clinical and administrative teams to facilitate patient care, documentation, logistics, and communication with the passengers’ families. "The medical teams are currently evaluating each patient," the hospital said in a statement accessed by ANI.

Social media users shared glimpses of the aircraft following the turbulence incident.

This comes after the government reported over 350 significant technical defects in domestic and international flight operations between January and June this year.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Monday, Union Minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol said that 352 significant defects were recorded during the period, of which 334 were in domestic flights.

Out of the Indian carriers, Akasa Air reported the highest number of defects at 152, followed by Air India Express with 53, IndiGo with 47 and Air India with 46 of what the ministry said were significant technical defects.