Delhi Airport News: Emirates Dubai Flight Delayed by Bird Strike
Delhi Airport News
An Emirates flight from Delhi to Dubai was delayed on Friday, 16 October 2026, after a bird strike affected its departure. The incident took place at Delhi airport and caused a disruption to the flight schedule.
The flight, EK 517, was supposed to leave Delhi for Dubai at 4:25 pm. However, a bird strike was reported before departure, and the flight could not leave on time. News agency ANI shared the details and a video of the incident on social media.
In the video, airport ground staff can be seen checking the nose cone of the aircraft. The nose cone is the front part of the plane, and it is often the area that gets hit when a bird collides with an aircraft. Ground teams usually inspect this part carefully to make sure there is no damage before allowing the plane to fly.
ANI said that further details were awaited. At the time of reporting, there was no information about how long the delay lasted, how many passengers were on board, or whether the aircraft had any damage.
A bird strike happens when a bird hits an aircraft, usually during takeoff or landing. Even a small bird can cause damage because of the high speed of the plane. For this reason, airlines and airport authorities follow strict safety rules. The aircraft must be checked by engineers, and it can only fly again after it is cleared as safe. This is why such incidents often lead to delays, even when the damage turns out to be minor.
This is not the first bird strike reported in India recently. On 24 August, an Air India flight travelling from Delhi to Patna faced a suspected bird strike while approaching Patna airport. The incident happened at around 7:44 am, and the plane was carrying 164 passengers.
An airport official, the pilot of Air India flight AI 1741 reported the suspected bird strike. The plane landed, and after that, authorities carried out an inspection of the runway.
Delays can be frustrating for travellers, but they are often necessary for safety. Checking the aircraft properly helps avoid bigger risks later. Passengers on affected flights are usually advised to stay in touch with the airline for updates on the revised departure time.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
