At least 14 people, including passengers and cabin crew, were injured after an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence during cruise on Tuesday, causing a sudden drop in altitude before landing safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
According to airline and airport officials, Air India flight AI2379, operated by aircraft VT EXO, experienced a brief but significant altitude loss of about 300 feet after encountering turbulence, or a strong updraft or downdraft, while en route to the Indian capital.
The aircraft was scheduled to arrive in Delhi at 11:15 a.m. IST and landed safely despite the incident.
Medical teams on standby
Airport authorities were alerted while the aircraft was still airborne, prompting emergency medical teams to prepare for its arrival.
Following landing, passengers and crew disembarked normally before those injured were taken to the airport’s medical facility for assessment and treatment.
Officials said:
- 10 passengers sustained injuries.
- Four cabin crew members were also injured.
- One cabin crew member was initially reported to have suffered serious injuries, while the remaining injuries were described as minor.
Investigation expected
The incident is expected to be reviewed by aviation authorities to determine the exact cause of the sudden altitude change and whether any additional safety measures are required.
Air India has not reported any structural damage to the aircraft, and the flight completed its journey without further complications.
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