Bird strike delays Emirates flight from Delhi to Dubai

Emirates said a bird strike on arrival in Delhi on October 17 damaged the aircraft serving flight EK517 and delayed its return trip to Dubai while repairs were carried out. The airline said the flight was expected to depart at 7 a.m. local time on October 18, more than 14 hours after its scheduled 4:25 p.m. departure on October 17. EK517 had flown from Dubai to Delhi when the bird strike occurred as the aircraft arrived, Emirates said. The same aircraft was due to operate the return journey. The airline said it needed repairs before the plane could return to service, but did not specify the nature or extent of any damage. Emirates said it was arranging hotel accommodation for passengers affected by the overnight delay and apologized for the disruption. It said the safety of passengers and crew would not be compromised. The airline did not give a passenger count in the information provided. Video of the aircraft showed ground staff inspecting its nose cone. The inspection is documented, but the available information does not establish whether the nose cone was damaged or whether other parts of the aircraft were affected. The revised 7 a.m. departure was an expectation announced...