Flight PA-481 had just taken off from Lahore en route to Skardu when it collided with a bird mid-air, as per the airline’s spokesperson. The aircraft was immediately brought back to the airport and all 149 passengers on board were offloaded safely.

The flight was subsequently cancelled. The return flight from Skardu to Lahore did not operate that day. The airline apologized for the inconvenience caused by the bird strike and assured that efforts are underway to fix the technical issues caused by the bird strike and resume service as soon as possible.

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The bird strike caused damage to two blades in engine number 2 of the aircraft, aviation sources revealed.

 Bird strikes not only risk the safety of passengers, staff, and pilots alike but also contribute to significant financial losses for airlines, note experts. Experts stress the need for serious and long-term measures to address this recurring issue effectively.