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Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has been summoned over the Phuket-Delhi flight incident as senior aviation officials discuss safety and accountability.
Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Row: Civil Aviation Ministry Summons Outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has summoned Air India’s outgoing CEO and Accountable Manager, Campbell Wilson, in connection with the Phuket-Delhi flight incident. A key meeting is underway to discuss the safety and accountability aspects of the incident, with Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary Sameer Sinha, DGCA Director General Veer Vikram Yadav and AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar in attendance.
Wilson’s summoning comes after the Phuket-Delhi flight suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. The incident is currently under investigation by Indian authorities.
A total of 17 people, including 13 passengers and four crew members, were injured in the incident. The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the sudden altitude loss and the safety aspects of the flight.
Airbus A320 Lost 300 Feet Of Altitude
The Air India Airbus A320 was flying from Phuket in Thailand to New Delhi on August 4 when it experienced a sudden loss of altitude of around 300 feet (91 metres) while flying over Odisha.
Air India described the incident as a “momentary altitude variation”. The aircraft, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, subsequently stabilised and landed safely in Delhi.
A total of 13 passengers and four crew members were injured in the incident. Eight passengers and four cabin crew members were admitted to hospitals after the aircraft landed in the national capital.
The airline said it was fully cooperating with the investigation and that the aircraft manufacturer had also been notified. Airbus is sending experts to New Delhi to assist investigators examining the incident.
AAIB Probes Incident, Pilots Taken Off Roster
India’s civil aviation authorities have classified the occurrence as a Serious Incident, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) conducting the investigation.
Both pilots were subjected to standard psychoactive substance screening after the flight. According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the initial screening result of the pilot-in-command indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing.
Samples were subsequently sent for laboratory analysis, with the confirmatory results awaited. Air India has said it had not been informed of the initial test results.
Both pilots have been removed from the flying roster while the investigation is underway.
Aviation Ministry Summons Air India CEO
The summoning of Wilson comes as the Civil Aviation Ministry reviews the incident and its safety implications.
A key meeting involving Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary Sameer Sinha, DGCA Director General Veer Vikram Yadav and AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar is also underway to discuss the safety and accountability aspects of the case.
Air India and the Civil Aviation Minister’s office did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Delhi, India, India
August 11, 2026, 4:31 PM IST
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