A routine international journey turned into a terrifying experience for more than a hundred travellers after an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe clear air turbulence high above the skies on Monday morning, leaving several passengers and cabin crew injured and prompting aviation authorities to launch a detailed investigation.
Flight AI2379, operated by aircraft VT-EXO, was cruising toward Delhi when it suddenly experienced a powerful turbulence event that caused an abrupt loss of altitude. The unexpected movement threw passengers and crew inside the cabin, creating moments of panic as many had little or no warning before the aircraft jolted violently.
Despite the frightening incident, the aircraft landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi as scheduled, where medical teams were already waiting after receiving advance information from the cockpit. Airport officials immediately shifted the injured passengers and crew members for medical evaluation while Air India activated its emergency response procedures on the ground.
Air India later confirmed the incident in an official statement, saying the aircraft experienced a brief turbulence-related event during cruise that resulted in a momentary change in altitude.
“Air India confirms that flight AI2379, operating from Phuket to Delhi on 4 August, experienced a brief in-flight turbulence-related event during cruise, resulting in a momentary change in altitude,” the airline said.
The airline added that there were no reports of life-threatening injuries. It stated that a small number of passengers and crew members who sustained minor injuries requiring medical assessment had been taken to a medical facility at Delhi airport as a precaution. Air India’s airport team and medical personnel remained on-site to assist those affected.
Initial assessments indicated that around 14 people, including approximately 10 passengers and four cabin crew members, suffered injuries during the turbulence. While most injuries appeared to be minor, one cabin crew member was reported to have sustained more serious injuries and required closer medical observation. Officials later clarified that all injured individuals were receiving appropriate medical care, with some referred for further evaluation as a precaution.
One passenger described the ordeal as one of the most frightening moments of their life. Speaking to ANI after landing, the traveller claimed the aircraft behaved unpredictably for several minutes.
“It had been an hour and a half since the flight. It was early morning. We were sleeping on the flight. The flight suddenly stopped while moving and turned around…it kept moving like this for 2-3 minutes…15-20 passengers got injured…there were more than 100 people in the flight…70 to 80% of the people got injured…we will 100% take action against Air India,” the passenger alleged.
While the passenger’s account reflects the fear experienced on board, aviation authorities have not confirmed claims that a majority of passengers were injured. Official figures released by Air India and airport authorities indicate that only a limited number of passengers and crew required medical attention.
According to preliminary information from the flight crew, the aircraft experienced a sudden altitude drop of nearly 300 feet after entering an area of clear air turbulence. Although modern commercial aircraft are engineered to safely withstand such atmospheric disturbances, abrupt altitude changes can be dangerous for passengers and crew members who are not wearing seat belts at the time.
The incident has once again highlighted the hidden danger posed by clear air turbulence, one of aviation’s most unpredictable weather phenomena. Unlike conventional turbulence associated with thunderstorms or visible cloud formations, clear air turbulence develops in cloud-free skies, making it extremely difficult for pilots to detect in advance. Standard onboard weather radar systems generally cannot identify these invisible pockets of unstable air.
Meteorologists explain that clear air turbulence frequently develops between 30,000 and 40,000 feet, particularly near powerful jet streams where sharp differences in wind speed and direction create invisible atmospheric disturbances. Because there are often no visual warning signs, pilots may receive only seconds of warning—or none at all—before the aircraft encounters severe turbulence.
In most cases, clear air turbulence causes nothing more than an uncomfortable flight. However, stronger episodes can produce violent vertical movements capable of throwing unrestrained passengers and crew against cabin ceilings, overhead compartments or seats, leading to head injuries, fractures and other trauma.
Safety experts have repeatedly stressed that keeping seat belts fastened whenever seated remains one of the most effective ways to reduce injuries during unexpected turbulence. Several major aviation incidents around the world have demonstrated that even routine flights can encounter sudden atmospheric disturbances without prior warning.
Following the incident, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu personally visited Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj to meet passengers and crew members admitted for observation. Sharing an update on social media, the minister said eight passengers and four cabin crew members were undergoing detailed medical evaluation.
“Met the patients under observation, enquired about their well-being and assured them of all required support. All necessary medical assistance is being extended,” the minister wrote.
He also confirmed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had been instructed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the occurrence.
“Also held a review meeting with hospital doctors and officials of Air India, DGCA and MoCA, and have directed a medical status update on each patient every 2 hours. Have also directed DGCA to initiate a detailed investigation into the occurrence,” he added.
The DGCA investigation is expected to examine cockpit data, weather information, flight recorder inputs and operational procedures followed during the incident. Investigators will also analyse whether any additional safety measures could help reduce injuries during similar turbulence events in the future.
Although aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation, turbulence-related injuries continue to be reported worldwide. Researchers have increasingly warned that changing atmospheric conditions associated with climate change may contribute to stronger and more frequent turbulence on some long-haul routes, making turbulence awareness and passenger compliance with seat belt instructions even more important.
For Air India, the safe landing of Flight AI2379 prevented what could have become a far more serious tragedy. Nevertheless, the incident serves as another reminder that even the most technologically advanced aircraft cannot completely eliminate the risks posed by nature. As investigators piece together the sequence of events, aviation authorities will be looking closely at every detail to understand how the turbulence unfolded and whether further improvements can enhance passenger safety on future flights.