Bengaluru-bound Air India Express flight aborts takeoff in Vijayawada after bird hit

An eagle struck the nose of the aircraft while taxiing on the runway for takeoff.

A Bengaluru-bound Air India Express flight from Vijayawada was cancelled after it suffered a bird hit on Thursday, an airline official said.

An eagle struck the nose of the aircraft while taxiing on the runway for takeoff, he said. The airline had to cancel the flight and make alternate arrangements for the passengers, PTI reported.

“The bird hit happened before takeoff. It occurred when the aircraft was taxiing on the runway...” the official told PTI.

Earlier this week, a Kolkata-bound IndiGo flight had to make an emergency landing after it suffered a bird hit.

(With inputs from PTI)