Air India plane suffers bird hit at Pune airport: Return flight cancelled, alternative arrangements made for passengers
PUNE: An Air India flight carrying over 100 passengers suffered a bird hit at Pune airport on Friday morning, leading to the cancellation of its return flight.
Flight AI-2469 had departed from Delhi at 5:31 am and landed safely in Pune at 7:14 am.
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However, shortly after landing, airline officials confirmed that the aircraft — an Airbus A320 — had experienced a bird strike.
As a result, the same aircraft, which was scheduled to operate the return leg from Pune to Delhi, was grounded for safety checks, and the flight was cancelled.
Air India officials stated that alternative arrangements were being made for affected passengers.
''Flight AI2470 scheduled to operate from Pune to Delhi on June 20 has been cancelled due to a bird-hit which was detected after the incoming flight landed safely at Pune.
The aircraft has been grounded to carry out extensive checks. Inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption is sincerely regretted and every effort is being made to minimize it, including providing accommodation for passengers.
Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling is also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to Delhi. At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,' an Air India spokesperson told TOI.
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The Hindu
36 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Air India Art Collection at NGMA Bengaluru carries a whiff of nostalgia
Once upon a time, there was a maharajah who flew around on his private jet, sharing glimpses of India with people all over the world. And whenever he returned to his country, he would come laden with tales of the many wonders he had seen during his travels. The Maharajah (for that was his name and title) has long been the mascot for Air India, the country's national carrier; though, over the years, his role has been diminished and he is rarely seen in public. For those who remember his glory days, or wish to relive the nobility of a bygone era, the National Gallery of Modern Art in Bengaluru (NGMA-B) is displaying art from the Air India Collection. Titled Sanhita : A New Beginning for the Air India Collection, the exhibition showcases works of art that Air India collected over the years. The public rarely gets a chance to view these pieces, which were housed in the Air India offices in Mumbai. They were recently transferred to the NGMA and are on display for the first time in Bengaluru. According to Darshan Kumar YU, deputy curator at NGMA-B, Sanhita is an exceptional offering as it showcases important artworks, particularly from the Progressive Art Group (these were Indian artists who broke away from traditional art forms and established modern Indian styles), and offers insight into the culture and heritage of the times. Start of a repertoire Air India started collecting works of art and cultural assets in the early '60s — a time when modern Indian art needed the patronage, says Darshan, who not only curated the show but also conceptualised its design and display. The idea of creating such a collection began when artist B Prabha walked into the Air India office in Mumbai, following her graduation from the Sir JJ School of Art in the 1950s, to sell her artwork. 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'The purpose of placing a mirror there was to look inwards and associate yourself with the journey of Air India. Not only is it about the art, but also the airline as a cultural asset. At its peak, Air India was a luxurious airline with journals and magazines of its own, crafting souvenirs to hand out to privileged passengers and of course, the use of the Maharaja as their ambassador,' says Darshan. A statuette of the Maharaja welcomes visitors, while brightly-coloured illustrations and souvenirs draw in visitors who may not be art lovers in the classical sense. Posters, postcards and other memorabilia depicting the Maharaja, as a debonair ambassador of all things Indian and his experiences in far off lands, make the showcase imminently relatable, especially a set of coasters designed by cartoonist RK Lakshman in his trademark style. 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Sanhita: A New Beginning for the Air India Collection will be on display at NGMA Bengaluru till August 31, 2025, with the possibility of an extension. Call 08022342338 for details.
Time of India
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Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Air India bookings down 20 pc; fares dip up to 15 pc after Dreamliner crash
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