📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Eluveitie
Travel
Air India Express Flight IX-1694 to Pune Cancelled After Bird Strike at Amritsar Airport
✍️ Amar Ujala · Amritsar
🗓 19 Aug 2026, 09:36 AM
👁 6
Air India Express flight IX-1694 bound for Pune was called off at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport after a bird struck the aircraft just before take‑off. Passengers were deplaned and their luggage was returned.
Air India Express flight IX-1694, scheduled to depart from Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport in Amritsar for Pune, was halted moments before take‑off when a bird collided with the aircraft. The incident occurred while the plane was still on the runway, prompting immediate safety checks.
Following the bird strike, airline officials decided to cancel the flight. All passengers were escorted off the aircraft and the aircraft was taken out of service for inspection. Luggage that had been loaded was retrieved and handed back to the travelers.
Air India Express released a brief statement saying the cancellation was made in accordance with its safety protocols and that a thorough examination of the aircraft would be carried out before any further operations. The airline is coordinating with passengers to rebook them on alternative services.
Following the bird strike, airline officials decided to cancel the flight. All passengers were escorted off the aircraft and the aircraft was taken out of service for inspection. Luggage that had been loaded was retrieved and handed back to the travelers.
Air India Express released a brief statement saying the cancellation was made in accordance with its safety protocols and that a thorough examination of the aircraft would be carried out before any further operations. The airline is coordinating with passengers to rebook them on alternative services.