Health Scare on Air India Flight: 7 Fall Ill, Food Poisoning Suspected
Seven individuals—five passengers and two crew members—fell ill mid-flight aboard Air India flight AI-130 from London to Mumbai on Monday, June 23. Symptoms included dizziness and nausea. The Boeing 777 landed safely at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, where medical personnel were on standby to provide immediate assistance.
Air India Confirms Incident, Launches Internal Probe
Initially reported as affecting 11 people, Air India later clarified that only seven individuals were involved. The airline has initiated an internal investigation and alerted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). While cabin depressurisation has been ruled out, food poisoning is being explored as a potential cause.
Swift Medical Response
The symptoms reportedly emerged at various points during the journey. Upon arrival at approximately 11:30 AM IST, affected passengers and crew received medical attention. Two passengers and crew members who felt unwell were taken to the airport’s medical facility. All were later discharged after being stabilised.
In an official statement, Air India said:
“We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests and crew and are extending all possible support. The matter is being investigated, and the regulator has been duly notified.”
The DGCA confirmed receipt of the report and is monitoring developments closely.
Food Safety Under Scrutiny
While early reports suggested up to 11 people were affected, the confirmed number remains at seven. Aviation safety experts have ruled out cabin depressurisation, noting that oxygen masks—automatically deployed in such cases—were not activated.
Food contamination from in-flight meals is now the primary focus. Notably, the pilots remained unaffected, in line with aviation safety protocols that require flight crews to eat meals prepared separately to avoid simultaneous food-related illness.
Clarifying Aircraft Safety Concerns
The Boeing 777 aircraft is not the same model as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was recently scrutinised following a separate incident in Ahmedabad. This distinction is crucial to prevent unwarranted fears regarding aircraft safety.
Passenger Accounts and Industry Response
Several passengers took to social media to describe their ordeal. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote,
“The crew acted quickly, checking on us and arranging medical help as soon as we landed.”
Aviation experts emphasize that while such incidents are rare, they highlight the importance of stringent food safety standards and a well-trained crew capable of managing in-flight medical emergencies.
The DGCA has stated it will review Air India’s findings and may consider further action based on the outcome.
The Logical Indian’s Take
This episode is a critical reminder of the aviation sector’s responsibility to uphold the highest safety standards. Air India’s prompt handling and safe recovery of all affected individuals are praiseworthy. However, the incident also underscores the need for transparency and improvement in in-flight food handling and emergency protocols.
As investigations proceed, collaboration between airlines, regulators, and catering services will be key in reinforcing safeguards. The central question remains: How can the aviation industry strengthen its systems to ensure passenger well-being remains uncompromised at 35,000 feet?
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