Etihad flight rocked by turbulence ahead of Phuket landing

An Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi experienced severe turbulence shortly before landing in Phuket on January 14, prompting an emergency response on the ground. All passengers and crew members were confirmed safe.

Flight EY416, which was en route to Phuket International Airport, reportedly encountered turbulence at around 11.30am while descending. The aircraft, carrying passengers and crew, landed safely at 11.51am, where emergency services were already standing by.

Airport officials said they are currently verifying the exact passenger count with the airline.

The unexpected turbulence caused significant concern among those on the flight. However, after the aircraft landed, medical personnel at the airport assessed passengers and confirmed that no injuries had been reported.

According to airport director Monchai Tanod, Phuket International Airport had been notified of the situation in advance and had prepared a full emergency response, including fire and rescue teams, medical staff, and ground operations personnel.

The Phuket Info Center also confirmed that the turbulence had no impact on airport operations or scheduled flights. Officials stressed that the airport places the highest priority on passenger safety and maintains readiness for emergencies through regular drills and adherence to international aviation standards.

In a statement, airport authorities thanked passengers for their trust and reassured the public of their ongoing commitment to safety and professional service.

Similarly, Thai Airways flight TG408, en route from Singapore to Suvarnabhumi Airport, issued an emergency signal while flying over the Gulf of Thailand. The aircraft landed safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport after the emergency alert was triggered due to a medical situation on board.

In another similar incident, AirAsia has refuted claims that one of its flights mistakenly landed at the wrong airport, which initially headed towards Seoul, explaining that the pilot diverted to Gimpo Airport due to turbulence.