A Bengaluru-bound IndiGo aircraft was forced to abort its departure from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Monday morning after colliding with a bird just before takeoff. The incident, which left 179 passengers in limbo, led to the flight’s cancellation.

Flight 6E 6629, which was scheduled to operate between Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru, suffered the impact shortly before takeoff. As a precautionary measure, the plane taxied back to its parking bay for inspection.

IndiGo officials stated that the aircraft would undergo thorough maintenance checks before being cleared for service again. Safety protocols mandated a detailed assessment before any further flights.

Passengers, initially left uncertain about their travel plans, were later accommodated on a rescheduled flight at 6:30 pm, reducing delays.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns over bird strikes, a persistent challenge in aviation that can pose risks to both passengers and aircraft. Airport authorities are expected to review measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.