An international flight made an emergency landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore after a bird strike.
The Turkish Airlines flight, bound for Istanbul, experienced a technical fault caused by a bird strike during takeoff. The incident left passengers visibly shaken but unharmed.
According to airport sources, the Turkish Airlines flight had just departed from Lahore when a bird struck the aircraft, resulting in a technical malfunction.
The pilot promptly contacted air traffic control and requested permission to return to the airport. Air traffic controllers granted immediate clearance, and the pilot safely landed the plane back at Allama Iqbal International Airport.
After landing, all passengers were safely offloaded from the aircraft. The plane was then towed to a parking area, where Turkish Airlines engineers began a thorough inspection to assess the extent of the damage and determine the next steps.
The decision to resume the flight will be made only after engineers complete their evaluation and confirm the aircraft’s safety.
Airport officials praised the pilot’s professionalism and quick response, which ensured the safety of everyone on board. Passengers, though frightened by the sudden turn of events, expressed relief at the safe landing.
In a related incident, a Skardu-bound private airline flight (PA-481) with 149 passengers also made an emergency landing in Lahore on Sunday, after a bird strike damaged the aircraft’s engine. All passengers were safely offloaded, and the flight was canceled for safety and technical inspection.
