Overview

• The aircraft was struck on the nose by an eagle while taxiing for takeoff at Vijayawada airport, prompting the cancellation.
• Air India Express said the event was a suspected bird strike and expressed regret over the disruption.
• All affected customers received options for complimentary rescheduling or cancellation with a full refund.
• The cancellation is the second bird-related disruption reported this week after an IndiGo Nagpur–Kolkata flight returned and was cancelled on September 2.
• Recent operational issues also included a Trichy technical snag on an Air India Express flight and an Air India Delhi–Indore return after an engine fire warning, with the regulator informed in the latter case.