An international flight bound for Malaysia, got the rudest shock of their lives midair, when their plane that had hardly flown 20 miles was forced to land.
In yet another incident of bird hit at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport on Wednesday morning, over 200 passengers of Finnair, an international flight bound for Malaysia, got the rudest shock of their lives midair, when their plane that had hardly flown 20 miles was forced to land.
According to sources, the incident, which took place at 11.30 am, created massive panic among passengers and officials at the airport. A bird had hit the Finnair aircraft after it had just taken off from the city airport.
Sources said that the pilot immediately informed the air traffic control (ATC) officials and decided to return to the airport. Incidentally, there were over 20 bird hit incidents reported in the city airport in 2010.
Sources added that the airplane suffered some damage, but landed safely at 12.25 am. There were more than 200 passengers and crew members in the plane which was going to Malaysia from Finland and had halted at the SVPI airport for refuelling.
At the time of going to press, the plane was still in Ahmedabad. Officials told DNA that the plane has not yet taken off due to technical problems. The passengers have been put up in different city hotels. They are expected to leave for their destination on Thursday.
"Despite various attempts to get the flight moving, the plane had to stay put at the SVPI. Tomorrow, a new aircraft will take these passengers to their destinations," a senior airport official said.
SVPI airport is one of the most sensitive airports in the country. Although the number of bird hit cases is few when compared to Delhi and Mumbai airports, such cases are rising at an alarming rate.
Last year after the report, 'SVPI most sensitive airport in the country', appeared, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and forest officials swung into action to curb the bird menace. However, sources said that the situation is still not under control.
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