A Fiji Airways flight landed safely this afternoon after a bird strike shortly after takeoff prompted a full emergency at Christchurch Airport. The aircraft circled over the city.
The incident involved Fiji Airways flight FJI450, a Boeing 737-808, which had departed from Christchurch en route to Nadi, Fiji. The aircraft became the most tracked flight in the world on Flightradar24 as it continued to circle the Canterbury region, particularly around the Lake Ellesmere area.
Fire and Emergency NZ stated that four fire engines and a command unit were on standby, waiting for the plane to return and land.
Airport officials confirmed that the flight had taken off from Christchurch but was returning “for an unknown reason” and was currently “circulating.”
Police said they were notified of an incident at Christchurch Airport around 2.30pm and confirmed that officers were in attendance.