An Air India flight from Delhi bound for Pune suffered a bird hit upon landing on Friday, compelling the airline to cancel its scheduled return journey to Delhi.
The incident took place with flight AI2470, which had safely touched down in Pune before the extent of the damage was discovered during post-landing inspection.
According to an official statement released by Air India, engineering teams were immediately deployed to assess the aircraft’s condition. The bird strike was identified after touchdown, and the plane has since been grounded for extensive checks to ensure passenger safety.
“Flight AI2470 scheduled to operate from Pune to Delhi on June 20 has been cancelled due to a bird hit, which was detected after the incoming flight landed safely in Pune,” the airline informed.
To mitigate passenger inconvenience, Air India has initiated several support measures. Affected travellers are being provided with accommodation, refund options, and complimentary rescheduling where possible. The airline also stated that it is actively working on alternate flight arrangements to help passengers reach their destination.
While bird strikes are not uncommon in aviation, airlines follow rigorous protocols to ensure aircraft remain airworthy. This incident adds to the series of recent challenges faced by India’s aviation sector, but no injuries or onboard disruptions were reported, thanks to timely safety procedures.
