Air India Phuket to Delhi Flight Hit by Severe Turbulence, 17 Injured

Passengers recount moments of panic as Airbus A320 encounters sudden turbulence before landing safely in Delhi; DGCA begins probe.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 :  An Air India flight travelling from Phuket to Delhi was hit by severe mid air turbulence on Tuesday, leaving 17 people injured and sparking an investigation by aviation authorities. Despite the frightening ordeal, the aircraft landed safely at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, where emergency medical teams were ready to assist passengers and crew.

According to Air India, Flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320, encountered unexpected turbulence while cruising at high altitude. The sudden jolt reportedly caused the aircraft to briefly lose altitude, throwing unsecured passengers and loose items around the cabin. Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft dropped nearly 300 feet during the incident.

Among the injured were 13 passengers and four cabin crew members. Most sustained minor injuries, although a few required hospital treatment after landing. Medical teams examined the injured at the airport before several were shifted to hospitals in Delhi and Gurugram for further evaluation.

Passengers described tense moments inside the aircraft as the cabin shook violently without warning. Those who were not wearing seat belts were reportedly thrown from their seats, while luggage from overhead bins fell into the aisle. Cabin crew quickly responded, assisting injured passengers and ensuring calm until the aircraft landed safely.

In a statement, Air India said its crew followed all standard safety procedures and coordinated with airport authorities to provide immediate medical assistance upon arrival. The airline also expressed concern for the injured and said it was extending all necessary support to those affected.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to investigate the incident to determine the exact cause of the severe turbulence and assess whether additional safety recommendations are required. Aviation experts say such incidents, though uncommon, highlight the importance of keeping seat belts fastened throughout a flight, even when the seat belt sign is switched off.

The incident comes amid growing global concern over increasingly frequent episodes of severe turbulence, which experts often attribute to changing weather patterns and climate-related atmospheric shifts. Airlines continue to advise passengers to remain seated with their seat belts securely fastened whenever possible to reduce the risk of injury.