Bird Nest Halts Air India Flight to Bangkok for Over Five Hours

MUMBAI: An Air India flight bound for Bangkok faced a delay exceeding five hours at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on June 25, 2025, after ground crew discovered hay lodged beneath the aircraft’s left wing. According to a report, the material, suspected to be part of a bird’s nest, was spotted during a routine pre-flight inspection, prompting immediate action to ensure the plane’s safety.

The flight, AI2354, was scheduled to depart in the morning but remained grounded until the debris was carefully removed by maintenance staff. Videos circulating on social media captured ground personnel extracting the hay and twigs, highlighting the unusual nature of the incident. The aircraft was cleared for operation only after a thorough inspection confirmed no further issues, allowing the flight to proceed to Bangkok later that day.

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This event follows a similar incident reported, where an Air India flight to Singapore was delayed in April due to a rat found onboard, underscoring ongoing challenges with pre-flight checks. Air India has not issued an official statement regarding the latest delay, but sources confirm the airline adhered to safety protocols to resolve the issue promptly.