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An Air India flight operating from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden, turbulence-induced altitude drop mid-flight on Tuesday, triggering brief panic before landing safely at its destination. Air India confirmed that flight AI2379 encountered the brief weather-related event during cruise but managed to recover quickly. According to the news agency PTI, twelve people are reported to have been injured in the incident.
Air India Phuket Delhi Flight Suffers Severe Turbulence
Briefing about the incident, an Air India Spokesperson stated that all passengers and crew disembarked safely at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. While no serious injuries were reported, a small number of passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries. Air India's airport team and medical personnel immediately transferred the affected individuals to an airport medical facility for precautionary examination and care.
Minor Injuries Reported
The spokesperson emphasised that the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain their highest priority, adding that the airline is providing full support to those affected and cooperating completely with relevant authorities investigating the incident. "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.There have been no serious injuries as of now," the spokesperson said.
"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 safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain Air India’s highest priority. We are providing all necessary support to those affected and are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities as part of the investigation," the spokesperson added.
Passenger Recounts The Moment
Speaking to ANI about the incident, a passenger said the flight suddenly stopped while moving and turned around. He confirmed that several passengers were injured during the incident. “It had been an hour and a half since the flight. It was early morning. We were sleeping inside the flight. The flight suddenly stopped while moving and turned around…it kept moving like this for 2-3 minutes…15-20 passengers got injured…there were more than 100 people in the flight…70 to 80 per cent of the people got injured…we will 100 per cent take action against Air India,” the passenger said.
Major Accident Averted As Air India Plane Comes In Front Of IndiGo Aircraft
Earlier on June 25, a major accident was averted at Ahmedabad airport when an Air India plane took a wrong turn, coming in front of an IndiGo aircraft on the same taxiway. Both planes halted at a safe distance, prompting an investigation by regulatory authorities. IndiGo said both aircraft came to a halt at a safe distance from each other.
The Mumbai-bound IndiGo plane was preparing for take off when the Air India aircraft took the wrong turn, and both planes were separated by around 200 metres on the same taxiway, the sources said. "We are aware of an incident where our flight AI 2493 operating from Mumbai to Ahmedabad on 24 June, after landing, inadvertently took a wrong turn during taxiing," Air India said in a statement.