An Air India Express flight scheduled to depart from Vijayawada to Bengaluru was cancelled on Thursday after a bird strike incident. The incident occurred while the aircraft was taxiing on the runway, preparing for takeoff. An eagle struck the nose of the aircraft, leading to the cancellation of the flight.

Following the incident, the airline grounded the aircraft for a thorough inspection. Air India Express arranged alternate travel arrangements for the passengers who were booked on the cancelled flight. No injuries were reported as a result of the bird strike.

Bird strikes pose a significant risk to aviation safety worldwide. These incidents can cause damage to various parts of an aircraft, including the engines, windshield, and nose, potentially leading to serious consequences.

This incident follows a similar occurrence involving an IndiGo aircraft on September 1, 2025. In that instance, a suspected bird strike forced an IndiGo flight from Nagpur to Kolkata to return to Nagpur for a precautionary landing shortly after takeoff. The flight, carrying 272 passengers, landed safely, and no injuries were reported. The suspected strike reportedly damaged the front section of the plane, and the flight was later cancelled.

Airlines and airport authorities implement various measures to mitigate the risk of bird strikes, including habitat management, bird scaring techniques, and the use of radar systems to detect bird activity in the vicinity of airports. Despite these efforts, bird strikes remain a persistent challenge for the aviation industry.

Air India Express offers customer support 24/7 via chat channels like Messenger and WhatsApp (+91 6360012345) and a global contact centre at +91 124 443 5600 and +91 124 693 5600.