A TUI flight from Newcastle International Airport to Cape Verde was forced to make an emergency landing in Manchester Airport on Tuesday morning due to a bird strike shortly after takeoff. The plane, identified as flight TOM800, departed Newcastle at approximately 9:40 am but landed in Manchester at 11 am as a precautionary measure.
Upon landing, ground crews inspected the aircraft and discovered some damage resulting from the bird strike. Passengers were disembarked and accommodated in a departure lounge while a replacement aircraft was arranged. The replacement flight has since departed Manchester Airport and is en route to Sal, Cape Verde.
A TUI spokesperson has apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers and thanked them for their patience and understanding. The spokesperson expressed hope that the passengers would enjoy the remainder of their holiday.
This incident follows a similar occurrence earlier this year, when a Jet2 plane bound for Glasgow was forced to make an emergency landing after striking a bird during takeoff. The flight from Tenerife South Airport returned to the Spanish island due to a minor fault indication caused by the strike.
In both instances, standard procedures were followed, and the safety of passengers and crew was prioritized.
