A medical emergency was reported on board an Air India flight travelling from Tokyo to New Delhi on February 28, 2026. The situation arose approximately eight hours into the journey, when the cabin crew requested assistance from any medical professionals among the passengers after a young traveller developed acute symptoms.
Dr. Loni Liriina, a critical care specialist currently working at the American Oncology Institute at Babina Specialty Hospital in Imphal, stepped forward to assist. She later stated to Manipur Update that the emergency occurred during a 10-hour international flight and was announced approximately two hours before landing, prompting an urgent call for a doctor onboard.
She was joined by a junior doctor of foreign nationality who was also present on the flight. Together, they assessed and managed the patient using the limited medical resources available onboard.
Recalling the situation, Dr. Liriina noted that the cabin crew appeared to be in panic and were unsure of how to proceed before medical help arrived.
The affected passenger, a 21-year-old passenger, complained of intense chest discomfort and difficulty breathing. The patient had a history of childhood asthma but had not been on medication for several years.
On examination, the patient had a heart rate exceeding 160 beats per minute, low blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels around 80 percent on room air. These findings indicated severe respiratory distress requiring immediate attention.
Dr. Liriina further described that the patient was gasping for breath, with a feeble pulse and blood pressure recorded at approximately 80/60 mmHg at the time of assessment.
The medical team initiated treatment using the aircraft’s emergency medical kit. Oxygen therapy was provided to improve oxygen saturation, and nebulisation was administered to deliver bronchodilator medication directly into the lungs.
According to Dr. Liriina, the team decided to continue onboard treatment and monitor the patient’s response before opting for any diversion.
Within approximately 20 to 30 minutes of treatment, the patient’s condition showed improvement. Vital parameters began to stabilise, and respiratory distress reduced.
Dr. Liriina stated that the patient responded well to the medications available onboard, allowing the situation to be brought under control within this time frame.
Due to this timely intervention, the flight continued its scheduled route without requiring diversion. The aircraft landed safely in New Delhi, where further medical care was available if needed.
Reports indicate that the cabin crew had considered diverting the flight due to the severity of the situation. However, the patient’s response to treatment eliminated the need for an emergency landing, allowing the flight to proceed as planned.
Dr. Liriina confirmed that the crew had asked whether an emergency landing was required, but the decision was made to first administer treatment and reassess the patient’s condition.
The timely and effective intervention ensured that the flight continued its scheduled journey without the need for an emergency landing. The aircraft later landed safely in New Delhi, where the passenger was reported to be in stable condition.
As reported in Ukhrul Times, Dr. Liriina stated that in-flight medical emergencies are relatively common, occurring approximately once in every 600 flights. She noted that such situations often rely on the presence of medically trained passengers for immediate response.
(Rh/SS/MSM)