Air India: Injured passengers discharged after severe turbulence on Phuket flight

Air India has confirmed that all 13 passengers injured when a flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence have now been discharged from hospital, while four crew members remain under medical treatment.

The incident occurred on 4 August aboard flight AI2379 (A320neo registered VT-EXO in Star Alliance livery), which was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members. The aircraft encountered severe turbulence during the flight, reportedly causing a sudden 300-foot loss of altitude and injuring at least 17 people, including several cabin crew members.

Following the incident, 13 passengers and four crew members were taken to hospital for treatment.

In an update issued on Wednesday, the airline said all hospitalised passengers had been released by 15:30 local time on 5 August.

“Four crew members remain under medical care and continue to receive treatment,” Air India said, adding that its teams remain at the hospitals and continue to support the injured passengers, crew members and their families.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has opened an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances that led to the sudden altitude loss.

Air India said it is cooperating fully with the regulator.

“We will continue to support those affected and their families, and will work closely with the relevant authorities as the investigation progresses,” the airline said.

The investigation is expected to examine the meteorological conditions encountered by the aircraft, the crew’s response to the turbulence, and whether all appropriate safety procedures were followed.