Air India Express bird strike: Flight IX2065 lands safely in Bengaluru with 148 aboard
Synopsis
An Air India Express flight carrying 148 passengers survived a bird strike en route from Visakhapatnam to Bengaluru on 20 October, landing safely without a single injury — the latest in a string of aviation incidents involving Indian carriers this month, even as IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air extend Saudi Arabia flight suspensions through late October.
Key Takeaways
Air India Express flight IX2065 suffered a bird strike on 20 October but landed safely at Kempegowda International Airport , Bengaluru .
All 148 passengers and crew were unharmed; the aircraft was moved to a parking stand for inspection.
Earlier in October , an Air India Frankfurt–Delhi flight made an emergency landing in Jaipur after transmitting the hijacking code Squawk 7500 .
Air India and Air India Express suspended flights to Riyadh , Jeddah , and Dammam until 20 October ; IndiGo and Akasa Air extended suspensions to 24 October and 21 October respectively.
Affected passengers are being offered full refunds or rebooking options by the respective carriers.
Air India Express flight IX2065 from Visakhapatnam to Bengaluru suffered a bird strike on Monday, 20 October but completed its journey and landed safely at Kempegowda International Airport. All 148 passengers on board were unharmed, and no injuries were reported among the crew either.
What Happened on Board
The aircraft completed its full route despite the in-flight incident and was subsequently moved to a parking stand after touchdown. Ground engineers and technical teams immediately began a structural and engine inspection in line with standard aviation safety protocols. Results of that inspection were not disclosed at the time of reporting.
A Pattern of Aviation Incidents in October
The bird strike is the latest in a series of aviation-related incidents involving Indian carriers this month. Earlier in October, an Air India flight operating the Frankfurt–Delhi route made an emergency landing in Jaipur after reportedly transmitting Squawk 7500 — the internationally recognised distress code indicating a hijacking situation. The signal was received by Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC), which coordinated the diversion. The aircraft landed safely, though the full circumstances that triggered the alert were not immediately available, according to reports.
Notably, this marks the second high-profile safety-related event for Indian aviation within weeks, raising questions about operational pressure on carriers amid broader regional disruptions.
Saudi Arabia Flight Suspensions
Separately, Indian carriers have suspended flights to several Saudi Arabia destinations citing the evolving security situation in the region. Air India said all its flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah stand cancelled until 20 October, adding that affected passengers are being offered a full refund. Air India Express similarly extended suspension of services to and from Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh until 20 October.
IndiGo announced cancellations of flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until 24 October. Akasa Air extended its suspension of flights to and from Riyadh until 24 October and to and from Jeddah until 21 October. All carriers stated that passenger and crew safety remained their top priority and that they would continue to monitor the security situation.
Impact on Passengers
Travellers booked on suspended Saudi Arabia routes are being offered full refunds or rebooking options, airlines confirmed. The combined suspensions affect some of the busiest India–Gulf corridors, particularly routes serving Indian workers and diaspora communities in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. With some suspensions running until 24 October, thousands of passengers face itinerary disruptions.
What Comes Next
Engineers' findings on the IX2065 aircraft are expected to determine whether the bird strike caused any structural damage that could ground the plane temporarily. Meanwhile, all Indian carriers are expected to reassess their Saudi Arabia schedule once the regional security situation stabilises. Airlines said updates to travellers would be communicated on a rolling basis.
Point of View
Even if both resolved without casualties. The Saudi Arabia suspensions add a separate layer of disruption to Indian aviation's busiest Gulf corridors at a peak travel season. What is notably absent from official communication is a timeline for the structural inspection of IX2065 and any clarity on what triggered the Squawk 7500 alert on the Frankfurt flight — two gaps that leave passengers without the transparent information they are owed. Regulators at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) would do well to provide a consolidated public update rather than leave the narrative to airline press statements.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Air India Express flight IX2065?
Flight IX2065 from Visakhapatnam to Bengaluru suffered a bird strike on 20 October 2026 but completed its journey and landed safely at Kempegowda International Airport. All 148 passengers and crew on board were unharmed.
What is a bird strike and how dangerous is it?
A bird strike occurs when a bird collides with an aircraft, most commonly during takeoff or landing. While most bird strikes are minor, engine ingestion can cause serious damage, which is why post-incident inspections by ground engineers are mandatory under aviation safety protocols.
Why did an Air India flight land in Jaipur earlier this month?
An Air India flight on the Frankfurt–Delhi route made an emergency landing in Jaipur after reportedly transmitting Squawk 7500, the international code for a hijacking situation. The signal was picked up by Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control; the aircraft landed safely, but the circumstances that triggered the alert were not immediately disclosed.
Which airlines have suspended flights to Saudi Arabia and until when?
Air India and Air India Express suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam until 20 October. IndiGo extended cancellations on routes to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah until 24 October, while Akasa Air suspended Riyadh until 24 October and Jeddah until 21 October, citing the evolving regional security situation.
Are passengers on cancelled Saudi Arabia flights eligible for refunds?
Yes. Air India has confirmed that passengers affected by the Saudi Arabia route suspensions are being offered a full refund. Other carriers have also indicated they are accommodating affected passengers with refunds or rebooking options on a case-by-case basis.
