IndiGo Nagpur-Kolkata flight cancelled after bird strike, passengers given refund

PTC Web Desk: An IndiGo flight from Nagpur to Kolkata was forced to return shortly after takeoff on Tuesday morning due to a bird strike, the airline confirmed.

The aircraft, operating as IndiGo 6E812, took off from Nagpur at around 7.05 am but had to land back at the airport as a precautionary measure. The bird strike reportedly caused damage to the front portion of the Airbus A320-251N.

IndiGo said the flight was cancelled for the day because the aircraft required inspection and maintenance. The airline arranged alternate travel options for passengers, offered full refunds to those who opted for cancellation, and provided refreshments.

“The inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen situation is deeply regretted. Safety and security of our customers and crew remains our topmost priority,” the airline spokesperson said.

This comes just a week after another IndiGo flight from Surat to Dubai with nearly 150 passengers was diverted to Ahmedabad following a technical issue mid-air. The flight had taken off from Surat around 9.30 am on August 28 and landed safely at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at around 11.40 am.

IndiGo later arranged another aircraft, and the passengers resumed their journey to Dubai at around 1:45 pm, according to officials.