A Mumbai-bound Air India flight from Delhi landed safely in Pune on 20 June, but suffered a bird strike on touchdown, prompting the cancellation of its scheduled return to Delhi. The airline grounded the A320 aircraft for in-depth inspections, citing passenger safety as the driving factor.
The bird strike, which impacted the aircraft’s right engine, was identified only after landing in Pune with nearly 100 passengers aboard. With the investigation underway, the airline cancelled flight AI2470 for the return journey to Delhi, offering full refunds, complimentary rescheduling, and accommodation to affected passengers. An airport official explained that Pune authorities are restricted from accessing the aircraft during ongoing investigative procedures, which will be overseen by both the airline’s engineering team and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The DGCA’s involvement follows heightened scrutiny after the tragic crash of Air India’s Dreamliner in Ahmedabad on 12 June, which resulted in 271 fatalities and prompted India-wide safety checks.
Passengers described the disruption as abrupt yet understandable. One business traveller noted his travel plans were derailed but absorbed relief on learning why the flight was cancelled. The airline rebooked several travellers on alternate flights and secured accommodations for those stranded overnight. Industry experts emphasise that bird strikes, though routine, can inflict substantial damage on engines and airframes. They usually trigger extended maintenance protocols, as engineers meticulously follow detailed inspection guidelines to ensure aircraft integrity before re-entry into service.
In response to this most recent incident, DGCA inspectors have intensified runway safety audits at Pune airport. Authorities are enhancing bird-detection systems and improving habitat management—such as waste reduction—to minimise wildlife-aircraft interactions. These steps align with international aviation safety practices and are crucial for rapidly growing airports within eco-sensitive cities . Meanwhile, Air India remains under intense focus in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad crash. As of 18 June, the DGCA had completed safety reviews on 24 of the airline’s 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, grounding two aircraft in Delhi due to ongoing maintenance needs. The airline cancelled 66 Dreamliner flights in total, including eight others on 20 June across domestic and international routes—including Pune–Delhi services.
Analysts note that Air India faces a critical balancing act: ensuring aircraft airworthiness while preserving flight schedules. The resurgence of safety protocols, including comprehensive checks and pro-active mitigation strategies, is essential to restore passenger confidence in a post-crisis environment . From a sustainability standpoint, the incident underscores the importance of airport eco-management. Effective reduction of wildlife hazards not only prevents flight disruptions but also supports harmonious coexistence with urban ecosystems in burgeoning cities like Mumbai and Pune.
Looking ahead, airline engineers and DGCA officials are expected to conduct cockpit crew interviews and technical assessments to determine the precise extent of damage and identify remedial actions. The grounded aircraft will remain in Pune until fully cleared, after which normal scheduling is expected to resume. While this bird strike disrupted a crucial Pune–Delhi connection, the swift actions taken by Air India and regulatory oversight underscore a commitment to passenger safety and procedural integrity. As aviation entities and city authorities enhance runway biosecurity, commuters can expect smoother, safer travel in an urban landscape increasingly attuned to both operational resilience and ecological harmony.
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