Air India Colombo–Chennai Flight Hit by Bird Strike, Return Trip Cancelled News24 –

A flight from Colombo to Chennai, operated by Air India, was involved in a bird strike on landing on Tuesday, with 158 passengers onboard. As a result, the airline canceled the flight’s return to Sri Lanka. The airline confirmed that all passengers deplaned without injury.

The airline explained that the bird strike was reported after the aircraft had landed safely at Chennai Airport. The plane has been taken out of service for inspections and Air India canceled its return flight as a precaution. Air India later arranged for another flight, allowing 137 passengers to depart for Colombo.

This event occurred only two days after an Air India flight from Amritsar to Birmingham experienced a technical failure in mid-air when its emergency Ram Air Turbine (RAT) was activated unexpectedly on final approach on October 4. The aircraft landed safely at Birmingham Airport while operating as flight AI117.

The airline reported that the RAT is a safety device that provides emergency power if there is a dual engine failure or a complete loss of primary power. The RAT was activated even though all of the electrical and hydraulic systems were working properly. The crew had full control of the airplane in the descent, landing the airplane,” the airline said.

“The operating crew of flight AI117 from Amritsar to Birmingham on 4 October 2025 detected deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) of the aircraft during its final approach. All electrical and hydraulic parameters were found normal, and the aircraft performed a safe landing at Birmingham,” read the official statement issued by Air India.