Bird strike leads to flight delay

A flight from Kirkwall Airport had to be aborted on Monday morning after a bird struck the aircraft’s wing during take-off.

The Loganair Saab 340B, operated by Flybe, was due to leave the airport at 7.40am, bound for Edinburgh, with 22 passengers on board when the common gull struck the starboard wing as it taxied on the runway.

A Loganair spokesperson said: “The aircraft was returned to Kirkwall Airport terminal for a full and thorough inspection in line with our standard procedure.

“The inspection found no damage and the aircraft departed at 8.29am. The service was back on schedule by 12.30pm.”