An Air India flight operating from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Chennai, India, experienced a bird strike upon landing on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The flight, carrying 158 passengers, landed safely in Chennai.

Following the incident, the aircraft was grounded for thorough safety checks and maintenance. As a result, the return journey from Chennai to Colombo was cancelled. Airport authorities confirmed that all 158 passengers aboard the flight were safe.

Air India arranged an alternative aircraft to accommodate the 137 passengers who were scheduled to travel from Chennai to Colombo. The airline has not yet released details regarding the extent of the damage to the aircraft or the estimated time for its return to service.

Bird strikes, while not always causing significant damage, pose a risk to aviation safety. They can damage critical components of an aircraft, such as engines and windshields, potentially leading to hazardous situations. Airlines and airports implement various measures to mitigate the risk of bird strikes, including habitat management around airports and the use of bird-scaring techniques.