Bengaluru: An Air India Express flight from Vijayawada to Bengaluru was cancelled on Thursday after a suspected bird hit incident while the aircraft was taxiing for takeoff. The airline said alternate arrangements were made for all passengers.
According to an airline spokesperson, the bird reportedly struck the nose of the aircraft, forcing the cancellation of the scheduled service. “The aircraft assigned to operate the Vijayawada–Bengaluru flight experienced a suspected bird strike at Vijayawada airport, leading to the cancellation of the service. We regret the inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control. All affected guests have been offered options, including complimentary rescheduling or cancellation with a full refund,” the spokesperson said.
Recent flight disruptions
The incident comes a day after another Air India Express flight from Tiruchirappalli to Bengaluru was delayed on September 3 due to a technical issue. The airline arranged an alternative aircraft, after which the service departed. During the wait, passengers were provided with meals and given the choice of a refund or complimentary rescheduling.
Just a day earlier, on September 2, a Delhi–Indore Air India flight was forced to return to Delhi shortly after takeoff. The cockpit crew had received a fire indication for the right engine. Following procedure, the engine was shut down and the flight landed safely. Initially, the crew made a MAYDAY call, which was later downgraded to PAN-PAN, indicating urgency rather than an emergency.
Safety comes first, says airline
Air India reiterated that safety remains its top priority, emphasising that the incidents, though inconvenient, were handled strictly in line with aviation safety protocols. “At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew is our top priority,” the spokesperson said.