📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Eluveitie
Travel
Air India Express flight hits birds mid-air, lands safely with 148 passengers in Bengaluru
✍️ Kanak News Odisha
🗓 21 Oct 2026, 04:32 AM
👁 7
An Air India Express aircraft suffered a bird strike while cruising and touched down safely at Bengaluru airport with all 148 passengers on board.
A commercial Air India Express flight encountered a bird strike during its cruise phase, prompting the crew to execute an emergency landing at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. The aircraft, carrying 148 passengers, touched down without any reported injuries or damage to the cabin interior.
Airport authorities confirmed that the plane was escorted to a designated area where a thorough inspection was carried out. Initial checks indicated that the bird impact affected the engine inlet, but the aircraft remained controllable and complied with all safety protocols.
The airline released a statement assuring passengers that the incident is being investigated in coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and wildlife experts to prevent future occurrences. Passengers were deplaned and provided with assistance for onward travel.
No flight cancellations were reported, and normal operations at the airport resumed shortly after the inspection. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of wildlife management around Indian airfields.
Airport authorities confirmed that the plane was escorted to a designated area where a thorough inspection was carried out. Initial checks indicated that the bird impact affected the engine inlet, but the aircraft remained controllable and complied with all safety protocols.
The airline released a statement assuring passengers that the incident is being investigated in coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and wildlife experts to prevent future occurrences. Passengers were deplaned and provided with assistance for onward travel.
No flight cancellations were reported, and normal operations at the airport resumed shortly after the inspection. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of wildlife management around Indian airfields.