Punjab Newsline | Amritsar
An Air India Express flight from Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport to Pune was cancelled on August 18 after the aircraft was reportedly involved in a bird-hit incident.
Flight IX-1694 was scheduled to depart from Amritsar for Pune on August 18. However, before take-off, a bird reportedly struck the aircraft. Following the incident, the airline decided not to operate the flight as a safety precaution.
Air India Express also confirmed the cancellation in a letter sent to the airport director. While the initial reason mentioned in the letter was “technical,” a handwritten note on the document specifically referred to a bird hit and the bird striking the aircraft.
After the cancellation, passengers were asked to disembark from the aircraft. Their baggage was also removed and the process of returning it to the passengers was initiated.
The sudden cancellation caused inconvenience to passengers, who were left waiting at the airport.
The flight status record also confirms that Air India Express flight IX-1694 remained cancelled on August 18, 2026. Further details regarding the aircraft’s technical inspection and the safety procedures being followed after the bird hit are awaited.
