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Travel
Air India Express Flight IX-1694 to Pune Cancelled After Bird Strike at Amritsar Airport
✍️ Amar Ujala · Punjab
🗓 19 Aug 2026, 09:36 AM
👁 26
Air India Express flight IX‑1694 from Amritsar to Pune was called off moments before take‑off after a bird struck the aircraft, after earlier reports cited a technical fault.
Air India Express scheduled flight IX‑1694 from Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport in Amritsar to Pune was cancelled at the last minute. The aircraft encountered a bird strike on the runway just before the scheduled take‑off, prompting the airline to halt the departure.
Initial statements from the airline attributed the cancellation to a technical malfunction. Within hours, officials updated the reason, confirming that a bird impact was the decisive factor behind the decision.
Passengers were informed of the cancellation on the tarmac and were offered re‑booking on alternative services or refunds, as per standard protocol. The incident caused a brief disruption at the busy Amritsar terminal but no injuries were reported.
Air India Express has not released further details about the species of bird or the extent of any damage to the aircraft. The airline said safety remains its top priority and investigations are underway.
The cancellation underscores the challenges Indian airports face with wildlife management, especially during peak migration periods.
Initial statements from the airline attributed the cancellation to a technical malfunction. Within hours, officials updated the reason, confirming that a bird impact was the decisive factor behind the decision.
Passengers were informed of the cancellation on the tarmac and were offered re‑booking on alternative services or refunds, as per standard protocol. The incident caused a brief disruption at the busy Amritsar terminal but no injuries were reported.
Air India Express has not released further details about the species of bird or the extent of any damage to the aircraft. The airline said safety remains its top priority and investigations are underway.
The cancellation underscores the challenges Indian airports face with wildlife management, especially during peak migration periods.