Bird strike forces Airblue flight to Skardu to make emergency landing in Lahore

An Airblue flight (PA 481) from Lahore to Skardu was forced to make an emergency landing back at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Saturday after encountering a bird strike during takeoff, airline and airport sources confirmed.

The aircraft, which was carrying 149 passengers, was struck shortly after takeoff. Following standard safety protocols, the pilot diverted the flight back to Lahore, where it landed safely without incident.

All passengers were safely offloaded, and no injuries were reported. However, the incident resulted in the cancellation of both the Lahore-to-Skardu flight and its return leg.

Sources said the bird strike damaged two blades of engine number 2, prompting a thorough inspection and maintenance review by the airline’s engineering team.

The incident underscores ongoing concerns about bird hazards at airports, particularly during the monsoon season, when such encounters are more frequent. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are reviewing wildlife control measures in the area.