The Air India Dreamliner aircraft (VT-ANH), carrying 127 passengers from New Delhi, suffered a bird hit while landing at the Bengaluru International Airport on Thursday morning. The bird, suspected to be a black kite, hit the aircraft body soon after it landed on the runway. The incident did not cause any harm to passengers, said an airline official. Post the bird hit, the aircraft taxied normally and the passengers were deplaned safely.
Air India recently inducted two Dreamliners in its fleet, after a delay of over four years. Aviation experts have called for measures to prevent any kind of bird movement around the runway. “The civic authorities must ensure that garbage and meat is not thrown in the open around the airport. It is important that civic agencies stress on cleanliness in areas like Yelahanka and Devanahalli which are closer to the airport,” said aviation expert Mr Devesh Agarwal.