An Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft was grounded at the Tiruchi Airport on Thursday after suffering a bird hit.
The Chennai-Tiruchi-Dubai flight (IX 611), with 116 passengers and six crew members on board, was hit by the bird while the aircraft was taxiing down the runway for take off this afternoon. The engine blades of the aircraft were damaged in the bird hit. However, the aircraft was brought to a safe halt, sources said.
Airline sources said a relief aircraft has been called to ferry the stranded passengers later tonight.
