Cow on runway forces Etihad flight diversion

ABU DHABI: An Etihad Airways flight to Ahmedabad in India’s Gujarat was diverted when a cow threatened to stray onto the runway at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Indian reports said.

The flight from Abu Dhabi was reportedly forced to abort its landing at the airport and go to Mumbai instead after the cow was spotted.

Runway breach

Reports said the incident occurred in the wee hours after the cow entered the operational area of the airport with the possibility of coming on to the runway. By the time security staff were able to drive the cow out of the area, two flights were diverted to Mumbai while a few other arrivals and departures were delayed.

According to one report, the number of bird hits and animals straying onto runways was on the rise in India with 1,069 bird and animal strikes and 81 animal strays reported in 2017.