An IndiGo Airlines flight carrying 216 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport on Sunday night following a bird strike, officials confirmed on Monday. The incident occurred while the flight, operating as 6E 437, was en route from Gorakhpur to Bengaluru.

Airport Director Puneet Gupta stated that the bird strike caused damage to the aircraft’s front portion. “The pilot acted promptly, contacted Varanasi Air Traffic Control, and executed a safe landing,” he said, highlighting the professionalism and quick response of the flight crew.

All passengers were safely evacuated from the plane, and no injuries were reported. Emergency and airport teams were deployed immediately to ensure passenger safety and assess the aircraft for damage.

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Gupta added that arrangements were made to transport some passengers to their original destination on Monday, while the remaining travelers were accommodated on alternative flights. IndiGo Airlines is coordinating with authorities to investigate the incident and ensure minimal disruption.

The flight safety incident underscores the risks posed by bird strikes, which aviation authorities note as a common hazard, particularly near airports during night operations. The airport administration has confirmed that a thorough inspection and maintenance of the aircraft will be completed before it returns to service.

IndiGo Airlines reassured passengers that safety remains its top priority and thanked them for their cooperation. “We are committed to ensuring the highest safety standards and will take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future,” a spokesperson said.

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