Pune, Dozens of passengers scheduled to travel from Pune to Delhi on Air India flight AI-2470 faced unexpected disruption on Thursday morning after a suspected bird hit led to the cancellation of the flight, moments before its scheduled departure.
According to official sources, Flight AI-2470 was set to take off at around 7:30 AM for Delhi. While passengers had already completed their check-in and security formalities and were waiting at the boarding gate, Air India’s technical and maintenance crew were conducting routine pre-flight inspections on the aircraft.
It was during this inspection that engineers noticed unusual marks on the outer casing of the aircraft’s engine, prompting immediate concern. A closer evaluation confirmed that the aircraft likely suffered a bird strike during landing at Pune Airport.
To ensure complete passenger and crew safety, the engineering team halted the aircraft for detailed inspection, deeming it unsafe to fly without further assessment. As a result, Air India made the decision to cancel the flight rather than risk any operational hazards.
Airline Issues Apology and Offers Full Refunds
In a statement issued shortly after the cancellation, Air India apologized to all affected passengers, stating that passenger and crew safety remains the airline’s top priority.
“We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers. Due to a suspected bird strike during landing, our engineering team decided to ground the aircraft for safety checks. We are committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety in all our operations,” an Air India spokesperson said.
Passengers booked on AI-2470 were offered full refunds or the option to rebook on alternate flights. Additionally, arrangements were being made to accommodate stranded travelers on other Delhi-bound services from Pune.
Ripple Effect on Aircraft’s Next Sector
The same aircraft was also scheduled to operate a subsequent Delhi-to-Ahmedabad flight later in the day. Due to the grounding of the aircraft, there could be potential delays or rescheduling on that route as well, depending on how soon the aircraft is cleared post-inspection.
Air India has not yet confirmed when the aircraft will return to service, as the inspection and any required maintenance work will be carried out in adherence to strict safety protocols.
Growing Concerns Over Bird Strikes
The incident once again highlights the increasing number of bird strike cases at Indian airports, particularly during early morning and evening hours when aircraft movement is at its peak and visibility may be compromised.
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