SpiceJet flight hits animal before take-off at Surat airport, flights suspended

A Delhi-bound SpiceJet plane, with about 140 passengers onboard, hit a stray animal on the runway a few seconds before the take-off at the Surat airport on Thursday.

"A Surat-to-Delhi SpiceJet aircraft, Flight number SG 622, carrying around 140 passengers excluding crew members on Thursday hit a stray animal on take-off roll at Surat airport," said Siddharth Kumar, an airline's spokesperson.

All passengers and crew members are safe and will be provided an alternative arrangement soon, Kumar said. Considering the stray-animal menace, SpiceJet has also decided to suspend its services on Surat airport for an indefinite period.

"All SpiceJet flights from Surat to be indefinitely suspended after one of our aircraft hit a large stray animal on take-off toll today. Suspension will be effective as soon as possible," Kumar said.