Air India Flyers Dealt Dual Blow As Goa Flight Cancelled After Bird-Hit, Plane To London Suffers Tech Glitch

An Air India flight to Mumbai was forced to abort takeoff at Goa's Dabolim airport after smoke started coming from the aircraft's engine following a bird strike. All 116 passengers disembarked safely.

A Mumbai-bound Air India flight, with 116 passengers on board, had to abort its take-off due to a bird hit at Goa's Dabolim airport on Wednesday morning. The incident took place at 6.45 am, when a bird hit the plane, after which the smoke started emanating from the aircraft's engine, according to airport director MC Jayarajan.

"The air traffic controller reported the incident to senior authorities. The flight with 116 passengers on board was scheduled for Mumbai from the Goa International Airport at Dabolim, located near Vasco in South Goa," the official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. 

Later, the airline, in a statement said, the cockpit crew discontinued the take-off as per Standard Operating Procedures to ensure the safety of customers and crew. 

"All passengers had disembarked safely, and the aircraft went for necessary inspections following the incident. Our ground colleagues at the Dabolim airport extended all support to the guests. Alternative arrangements were made to fly them to their destination at the earliest. Guests were also offered full refunds on cancellation and complimentary rescheduling to another date if so desired by them," an Air India spokesperson said in a statement. 

The Dabolim airport is reportedly a part of the INS Hansa base of the Indian Navy. Jayarajan told PTI that the Airports Authority of India will take up the matter of the presence of birds on the runway with the Navy, as it is a "serious matter."

Meanwhile, an Air India flight AI129, operating from Mumbai to London, made an air return to Mumbai due to a technical issue on Wednesday. The aircraft landed safely at Mumbai for precautionary checks, an Air India spokesperson said.

"We sincerely regret the inconvenience this unexpected disruption caused our guests. We have already made alternative arrangements to fly the passengers to their destination," the spokesperson.

Air India has promised the passengers cancellation and complimentary rescheduling to another date. "Guests have also been offered full refunds on cancellation and complimentary rescheduling to another date if so desired by them. At Air India, the safety and well-being of our customers and crew remains the top priority," the airline added further.