Air India Express Bengaluru flight cancelled after bird strike in Vijayawada; 2nd incident in 48 hours

NEW DELHI: An Air India Express flight from Vijayawada to Bengaluru was cancelled on Thursday after the aircraft suffered a bird strike, officials said. According to news agency PTI, an eagle struck the nose of the plane while it was taxiing on the runway for take-off, according to an airline spokesperson.

Passengers were later accommodated on alternate arrangements. The incident follows a similar case earlier this week. On Tuesday, an IndiGo flight from Nagpur to Kolkata encountered a suspected bird strike shortly after take-off.

“IndiGo flight 6E812 operating from Nagpur to Kolkata on 02 September 2025 encountered a bird strike soon after take-off. As a precautionary step, pilots decided to turn back and the flight landed safely at the Nagpur airport. Due to the requirement of necessary inspection and maintenance of the aircraft, the flight has been cancelled for the day,” the airline said in a statement.