A Turkish Airlines flight bound for Istanbul remains in a holding pattern off Sri Lanka’s western coast after a reported bird strike shortly after takeoff from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
The Airbus A330-300 operating Flight TK731 has been circling over the Negombo Lagoon area for more than two hours as a precaution before returning to BIA.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, the aircraft is reducing its landing weight by burning fuel, as the A330-300 operating the flight is not equipped with a fuel jettison system.
Authorities said the aircraft remains fully under control and all passengers and crew are safe. Airport emergency services are on standby as part of standard operating procedures for the precautionary landing.
The flight has also become the most-tracked aircraft worldwide on Flightradar24 as many people continue to monitor its progress. (Newswire)