Emirates aircraft damaged after striking flamingos in India, return flight cancelled

Dubai: A Dubai-India Emirates plane was damaged after colliding with a flock of flamingos during its flight toward Mumbai, causing the demise of several migratory birds.

The aircraft safely landed, with all passengers and crew disembarking unharmed. However, due to the damage incurred, the return flight EK509, scheduled to depart on May 20, was cancelled.

Emirates assured cooperation with Indian authorities concerning the incident. Passengers and crew from flight EK509 were accommodated overnight and arrangements for a replacement aircraft were swiftly made. The substitute flight departed Mumbai on May 21 at 9 pm (India time).

Reports from Indian media indicate that at least 36 flamingos were killed, though wildlife experts express concerns that the actual toll might be higher. While aircraft bird strikes are not uncommon, this event stands out due to the significant number of flamingos affected.

According to government statistics, Mumbai Airport has recorded over 600 cases of aircraft bird strikes from January 2018 to October 2023. The wetlands along Mumbai's coast, frequented by numerous flamingos from December onward, serve as a crucial habitat.

Pawan Sharma, representing the Mumbai-based Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), noted the unprecedented scale of the incident, expressing fears that additional casualties might have occurred.

Sharma stressed the importance of evaluating the event and implementing mitigation measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future, emphasizing the vulnerability of both resident and migratory birds to flights passing through vital habitats.

Inputs from: Khaleej Times