An Emirates flight from Dubai to Mumbai encountered a flock of flamingos shortly before landing, resulting in damage to the aircraft and the death of several migratory birds, according to an airline spokesperson. The incident, which occurred on Monday, led to the cancellation of the return flight EK509 to Dubai on May 20.

“The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked without injury,” confirmed the spokesperson. However, the damage sustained necessitated the cancellation of the return flight. Emirates is cooperating with Indian authorities to address the situation.

All passengers and crew of flight EK509 were provided with overnight accommodations, and a replacement aircraft was arranged. The replacement flight departed Mumbai on Tuesday, May 21, at 9pm local time.

Reports from Indian media indicate that at least 36 flamingos were killed in the collision, though wildlife experts fear the actual number could be higher. The wetlands along Mumbai's coast are a well-known habitat for flamingos, especially around December when large numbers arrive for a few months.

Pawan Sharma from the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) in Mumbai noted the unusual scale of the incident, stating, "This is the first time such a large number of flamingos have been hit." He expressed concern that more birds might have died, as many carcasses were "not in a shape to be recovered."

Bird strikes are a known hazard at Mumbai airport, with over 600 incidents recorded between January 2018 and October 2023. Sharma emphasized the importance of evaluating the incident to develop mitigation measures and protect both resident and migratory birds from similar future events.

This unfortunate incident highlights the need for ongoing efforts to safeguard wildlife and ensure the safety of air travel through critical habitats.