April 2, 2026 : A potentially life-threatening medical emergency aboard an Air India flight from Tokyo to New Delhi was averted due to the timely intervention of a Manipur-based doctor, ensuring the aircraft continued its journey without diversion.
Dr. Loni Liriina, a critical care specialist currently serving at the American Oncology Institute, Babina Specialty Hospital in Imphal, was among the passengers on Flight AI-357 on February 28, 2026, when the incident occurred nearly eight hours into the flight.
With about two hours remaining before landing, the cabin crew announced a medical emergency and sought assistance from any qualified professionals onboard. Responding swiftly, Dr. Liriina, assisted by a junior doctor of foreign nationality, attended to a 21-year-old passenger who was experiencing severe chest pain and breathlessness.
The patient, who had a history of childhood asthma but was not on medication in recent years, was found to have a dangerously elevated heart rate of over 160 beats per minute, low blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels of just 80 percent, indicating acute respiratory distress.
Diagnosing the condition as a severe asthma attack, Dr. Liriina administered emergency treatment using the limited resources available onboard, including oxygen support, nebulization, and essential medication. The patient’s condition stabilised within 30 minutes under close observation.
Owing to the timely and effective intervention, the flight was able to proceed to its destination without the need for an emergency landing. The aircraft landed safely in New Delhi, with the passenger reported to be in stable condition upon arrival.
Speaking on the incident, Dr. Liriina noted that in-flight medical emergencies are not uncommon, occurring approximately once in every 600 flights, and often depend on the presence of medically trained passengers for immediate response.
Dr. Loni Liriina hails from Senapati district of Manipur and continues to serve as a critical care physician in Imphal.
