Air India Flight from Phuket to Delhi Encounters Severe Turbulence, 14 Passengers and Crew Injured in 300-Foot Altitude Drop

An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence during its descent on Tuesday, August 5, leaving 14 people injured, including 10 passengers and four cabin crew members. Flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320 with 134 passengers on board, experienced a sudden drop of approximately 300 feet in altitude during the incident before pilots regained control and completed the flight safely to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Medical personnel were on standby upon arrival, and the injured were transported to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram and India Spinal Injury Centre in Vasant Kunj for precautionary examination and care. One passenger described hitting his head on the cabin roof during the sudden altitude loss before falling. Air India confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and that there were no serious injuries, stating that those requiring medical assessment received immediate attention from the airline's airport team and medical personnel. The Phuket-Delhi sector is one of the busiest international leisure routes for Indian travelers, and the incident highlights continuing operational challenges airlines face from unexpected weather-related turbulence events. The airline has not disclosed the specific cause of the turbulence but confirmed that standard protocols were followed throughout the event. Aviation authorities have not yet commented on whether an investigation will be launched, though such incidents typically trigger internal airline safety reviews and, depending on severity, examination by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The turbulence occurred shortly before landing, a phase of flight when passengers are typically seated and belted in preparation for arrival, which may have limited the number and severity of injuries. The A320 is one of the most widely used narrow-body aircraft in Air India's fleet and operates extensively on short- to medium-haul international routes across Asia.