Air India flight encounters severe turbulence, injuring 17 passengers

An Air India flight (AI-2379) traveling from Phuket to Delhi experienced severe turbulence over the Bay of Bengal on August 4, causing the Airbus A320neo to drop approximately 300 feet (90 meters).

The incident resulted in injuries to at least 17 people, including 13 passengers and 4 crew members. Reports indicate passengers were thrown against the cabin ceiling, causing damage to interior panels and overhead bins. Following the landing in Delhi, several individuals were transported to hospitals for medical examinations; officials noted that while injuries occurred, the affected passengers remained in stable condition.

A passenger has filed a formal complaint with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), alleging inadequate medical assistance upon landing and questioning the pilot's decision not to divert the aircraft. Air India has stated it is cooperating with aviation authorities and the aircraft manufacturer to investigate the circumstances of the turbulence.

Social media reactions have been mixed, with some users blaming the airline's maintenance and management, while aviation experts point out that severe turbulence—including clear-air turbulence—is a natural weather phenomenon that can be difficult to detect on radar and is increasingly linked to climate change.