Guwahati, Sept. 2 -- An IndiGo flight heading to Kolkata returned to Nagpur shortly after takeoff on Tuesday morning, after a suspected bird strike damaged the aircraft mid-air.

The crew decided to turn the plane around and made an emergency landing as a safety precaution.

The Airbus A320, operating as flight 6E 812, had 272 passengers on board.

IndiGo confirmed that the aircraft encountered a bird hit soon after departure and that all passengers and crew landed safely.

"Following the suspected bird strike, the pilots opted to return to Nagpur to allow for necessary checks. The aircraft landed safely, and the flight has been cancelled for the day to carry out required maintenance," said an IndiGo spokesperson in a statement.

Airport ...