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A Pegasus Airlines passenger flight bound for Copenhagen returned safely to Istanbul Airport on Friday after striking a flock of birds following takeoff, prompting the pilot to request an emergency landing.
The aircraft departed Istanbul Airport at 9:10 a.m. for the Danish capital and encountered the flock after takeoff.
Some reports said multiple birds struck the aircraft with a loud impact and damaged one of its wings. Pegasus said in a statement that no technical damage had occurred to the aircraft.
The pilot contacted the Istanbul Airport air traffic control tower and requested permission for an emergency landing before changing course and returning to the airport.
Airport emergency response teams were placed on standby as a precaution ahead of the aircraft’s return.
The plane landed safely at Istanbul Airport, and passengers were evacuated without further incident.
The aircraft returned to the airport about 45 minutes after departure.
Passengers whose Copenhagen flight was interrupted by the bird strike were transferred to another aircraft.
The Copenhagen service later resumed with a delay.
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