Phuket: An Etihad Airways plane experienced turbulence before arriving in Phuket, but landed safely. All passengers were able to continue their journey.
According to Thai News Agency, the tense situation in the air has been safely resolved after an Etihad Airways flight EY 416, en route from Abu Dhabi to Phuket, experienced severe turbulence during flight before landing smoothly at Phuket Airport. All passengers are safe and no one required hospitalization.
On January 14, 2026, at approximately 11:30 AM, Phuket Airport received a report from the pilot of the flight in question that the aircraft encountered severe turbulence, or "air pockets," while en route to Phuket. Initial reports indicated that several passengers may have been injured, prompting the airport to coordinate with local medical units to prepare for any emergency situation.
Later, at approximately 12:00 PM, Mr. Montchai Tanod, Director of Phuket Airport, revealed that the Etihad Airways aircraft had landed safely at Phuket Airport. Following checks with the airline and medical personnel, it was confirmed that no passengers sustained serious injuries requiring hospitalization.
All passengers were able to leave the airport and proceed to their accommodations as normal, much to everyone's relief, after the tense mid-air incident ended without any serious injuries.