Akasa Air Flight QP 1607 Experiences Bird Strike, Executes Safe Emergency Landing in Delhi
An Akasa Air flight en route from Pune to Delhi experienced a bird strike on Friday, October 10, 2025, prompting an emergency landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The aircraft, operating as flight QP 1607, landed safely, and all passengers and crew members were safely deplaned.
According to an Akasa Air spokesperson, the aircraft is currently undergoing a thorough inspection by the airline's engineering team. The aircraft will be released for service after the inspection is completed.
Bird strikes pose a significant risk to aviation safety worldwide. These incidents occur when birds collide with aircraft, potentially causing damage to critical components such as engines, windshields, and control surfaces. While most bird strikes do not result in major accidents, they can lead to costly repairs, flight delays, and in rare cases, catastrophic events.
Akasa Air has confirmed that all passengers have been safely deplaned and that the airline's customer service team is working to assist passengers and make arrangements for their onward journeys. The airline has not yet released details regarding the extent of the damage to the aircraft or the estimated time for repairs.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation regulator, is expected to launch an investigation into the incident. Such investigations typically involve gathering information from the flight crew, maintenance personnel, and airport authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the bird strike and to identify any potential safety deficiencies.
This is not the first time Akasa Air has experienced a bird strike incident. In October 2022, an Akasa Air flight from Ahmedabad to Delhi suffered a bird hit, resulting in radome damage. The aircraft was grounded for inspection following that incident. Also in October 2022, a Bangalore-bound Akasa Air plane from Mumbai returned to the city airport due to a burning smell in the cabin, which later turned out to be due to a bird strike.
Bird strike incidents have been on the rise in India. Data from the DGCA indicated a significant increase in bird strike incidents in the first half of 2022 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Airports around the world implement various measures to mitigate the risk of bird strikes, including habitat management, bird scaring techniques, and the use of radar systems to detect and track bird movements. These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety of aircraft and passengers. The incident involving Akasa Air flight QP 1607 serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by wildlife hazards to aviation safety and the importance of proactive measures to minimize these risks.
