Turbulence on Two Fronts: Air India’s Plight and the Price of Recovery

The latest incident involving an Air India flight that plummeted 91 meters in turbulence has once again highlighted the airline’s struggles. The event, classified as a “Serious Incident” by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), is part of a string of setbacks for Air India.

On August 4, an Airbus A320 carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members was flying from Phuket in Thailand to New Delhi when it lost altitude before stabilizing and landing safely. Several passengers and crew members were injured during the incident. The investigation into the cause of the turbulence is ongoing, but initial indications suggest human error or substance abuse by one of the pilots may have contributed.

The pilot-in-command underwent a “confirmatory” psychoactive drug test after the incident, which is standard procedure in such cases. However, the results are still pending, and both pilots have been suspended from flying until further notice. This development raises questions about Air India’s safety record and whether its efforts to modernize operations and integrate with the Tata Group are paying off.

Air India has faced numerous challenges recently, including aircraft delivery delays and airspace closures caused by the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict. The most significant blow came in June 2025 when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing all but one of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground.

The appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam as Air India’s new CEO is seen by many as an attempt to turn the airline around. Gebremariam, a veteran of the aviation industry with experience at Ethiopian Airlines, is widely respected for his turnaround expertise. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to stem the tide of bad news and restore Air India’s reputation.

The Indian aviation sector faces broader challenges related to growing demand for air travel and increasing pressure on airlines to deliver more services, which can sometimes compromise safety standards. The regulatory environment in India has also been criticized for being too lenient, allowing carriers to operate with inadequate safety protocols.

The AAIB investigation into this incident will likely shed light on the causes of the turbulence and whether human error or substance abuse played a role. However, it is clear that Air India needs to address its underlying issues affecting its safety record. This requires a comprehensive overhaul of the airline’s procedures and protocols, as well as stricter regulatory oversight.

As the investigation unfolds, one thing is certain: the public will be watching closely to see how Air India responds to this latest crisis. Will the airline finally take concrete steps to address its safety concerns, or will it continue to stumble from one crisis to another? The stakes are high for both the airline and the industry as a whole.

Air India’s recovery plan needs to go beyond cosmetic changes; it requires a fundamental transformation of the airline’s culture and safety practices. The new CEO has a tough task ahead, but if Air India wants to regain its reputation as a safe and reliable carrier, it must take bold action now.