National Desk, 14th November: In an unusual turn of events, a Vistara flight en route to Dabolim Airport in Goa had to return to Bengaluru without landing after a stray dog was spotted on the runway. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, prompting the Air Traffic Controller to instruct the pilot to “hold for some time.” However, the pilot opted to return to Bengaluru.
The Dabolim Airport, located in Goa and part of the Navy’s INS Hansa base, experienced this disruption, with the flight eventually taking off again from Bengaluru and reaching Goa after addressing the issue. The stray dog incident highlights the occasional challenges faced by airports, with the airport’s director acknowledging the first such occurrence in his tenure.
Vistara initially communicated the diversion due to “runway restriction” in a social media post, later updating passengers on the flight’s departure from Bengaluru and its subsequent arrival in Goa. While stray animal intrusions on runways are rare, they underscore the need for swift responses to ensure aviation safety.
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