DGCA probes Air India turbulence incident on Phuket-Delhi flight

India’s aviation regulator is investigating a reported 300-foot altitude loss on Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi. The Airbus A320neo landed safely, but 13 passengers and four crew members were injured; flight and cockpit recorders have been secured.

— Source publishedTue, 4 Aug, 2026, 22:52 IST·First seen Wed, 5 Aug, 2026, 00:43 IST·Source NDTV Profit

What happened

DGCA is investigating an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight after a turbulence-related 300-foot altitude loss injured passengers and crew. The aircraft landed safely

Key facts

  • 300 feet
  • Flight AI2379
  • Airbus A320neo
  • VT-EXO
  • 137 passengers
  • 8 crew members
  • 11:07 a.m.
  • 13 passengers injured
  • 4 crew members injured
  • 5 passengers discharged
  • 8 passengers admitted
  • 6:50 p.m.

Why this matters

Any partnership, investment or strategic evaluation involving Air India should factor in heightened aviation-safety diligence, regulatory exposure and the durability of its passenger-trust recovery plan.

What to watch

  • DGCA preliminary findings on weather conditions, altitude deviation and crew actions.
  • Whether the altitude loss occurred with the seat-belt sign on and cabin crew seated.
  • Severity and duration of injuries, hospitalizations, passenger complaints and compensation claims.
  • Any DGCA directive affecting Air India training, dispatch, A320neo operations or safety-management processes.
  • Evidence of mechanical, flight-control, maintenance or automation anomalies.
  • Follow-on incident coverage that reinforces or fades the safety narrative around Air India.
  • Secure and analyze flight-data and cockpit-voice recorder evidence alongside weather, dispatch and air-traffic-control records.
  • Conduct medical follow-up, compensation handling and direct outreach for injured passengers and crew.
  • Review turbulence forecasting, route planning, cockpit decision-making, cabin-service suspension and seat-belt communication procedures.
  • Prepare DGCA submissions and implement any interim safety directives, training or audit requirements.
  • Manage public updates carefully to demonstrate passenger care without prejudging the investigation.