DGCA probes Air India flight AI2379 altitude variation, 12 hospitalised
Synopsis
An Air India Airbus A320 on the Phuket-Delhi route suffered a mid-air altitude variation on 4 August, sending 12 people — 8 passengers and 4 crew — to hospital. The DGCA has secured the flight recorders and opened a formal investigation, while the Civil Aviation Minister personally visited the hospitalised passengers. The incident puts India's aviation safety oversight under fresh scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
Air India Flight AI2379 (Airbus A320, reg.
VT-EXO ) experienced a momentary altitude variation on 4 August during its Phuket-to-Delhi route.
The aircraft carried 137 passengers (including 3 infants ) and 8 crew members ; all landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport .
8 passengers and 4 cabin crew were admitted to Fortis and Medanta hospitals for medical evaluation.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha visited Fortis Hospital to check on the injured.
The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been secured; the aircraft has been moved to the hangar pending investigation.
The DGCA and Ministry of Civil Aviation are jointly monitoring the situation.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a detailed investigation after Air India Flight AI2379, operating from Phuket to New Delhi, experienced a momentary altitude variation mid-flight on Tuesday, 4 August. The Airbus A320 aircraft — registration VT-EXO — subsequently stabilised and landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, where medical teams were standing by.
What Happened Onboard
The flight was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, along with eight crew members — two pilots and six cabin crew. The momentary altitude variation prompted an immediate precautionary medical response upon landing. In total, eight passengers and four cabin crew members were admitted to hospitals for detailed medical evaluation and treatment, while the remaining passengers received assistance and support on the ground.
Government Response and Hospital Visits
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu visited Fortis Hospital alongside Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha to check on the condition of those hospitalised and assure them of all necessary assistance. Senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation also visited Medanta Hospital and are coordinating closely with hospital authorities and Air India to ensure appropriate medical care.
Investigation Under Way
'The DGCA has initiated a detailed investigation into the occurrence. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA are closely monitoring the situation,' the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement. The aircraft has been moved to the hangar, and both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been secured for forensic examination as part of the probe.
What Comes Next
The ministry reiterated that passenger safety remains its highest priority and that all necessary measures are being taken. The DGCA investigation will examine flight data, crew communications, and aircraft maintenance records to determine the precise cause of the altitude deviation. Findings are expected to inform whether regulatory action or airworthiness directives follow. This incident comes amid heightened global scrutiny of in-flight safety events, making a transparent and timely investigation critical for public confidence in Indian civil aviation.
Point of View
But India's aviation regulator has faced persistent questions about enforcement rigour. The real test is whether the investigation produces granular findings — aircraft maintenance history, crew fatigue records, ATC communication — rather than a sanitised summary. With Air India in the midst of a high-profile fleet and service overhaul under Tata ownership, any safety lapse carries outsized reputational weight. Transparency here is not optional.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Air India Flight AI2379 on 4 August?
Air India Flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to New Delhi, experienced a momentary altitude variation mid-flight on 4 August. The aircraft stabilised and landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport, after which medical teams attended to passengers and crew.
How many people were hospitalised after the Air India incident?
A total of 12 people were hospitalised — 8 passengers and 4 cabin crew members — at Fortis and Medanta hospitals in New Delhi for detailed medical evaluation and treatment.
What is the DGCA investigating?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched a formal probe into the cause of the altitude variation. Investigators have secured the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder, and the aircraft has been moved to a hangar for examination.
Who visited the hospitalised passengers?
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha visited Fortis Hospital to check on those admitted. Senior ministry officials also visited Medanta Hospital and are coordinating with hospital authorities and Air India.
Was the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight carrying a large number of passengers?
Yes, Flight AI2379 was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, along with eight crew members comprising two pilots and six cabin crew at the time of the incident.
