Bird Strike
Learn how bird strikes are usually treated under EU261 and why the airline's response still matters.
Overview
A bird strike is generally capable of being an extraordinary circumstance because it is an external event not inherent in normal airline operations. However, the airline still needs to establish the connection to the disruption and show that reasonable measures could not have avoided the resulting delay.
Extraordinary circumstance
The occurrence of a bird strike and the reasonable operational response should both be considered. Unnecessary additional delay after the event can be relevant to the final assessment.
FlightClaimly claim assessment
What should be investigated?
A genuine bird strike is generally external to normal airline operations, while the resulting delay and airline response still require causation and reasonable-measures review.
Evidence to verify
- Bird-strike occurrence and affected aircraft
- Inspection or damage timeline
- Aircraft replacement options
- Duration attributable to inspection versus later operational issues
Questions for the airline
- When and where did the bird strike occur?
- Was the passenger's aircraft directly affected?
- How long did required inspection or repair take?
- What reasonable replacement or recovery measures were considered?
Signals that deserve a closer look
- Bird strike involved another aircraft with an unclear link
- Delay continues well beyond the inspection without explanation
Next step: Confirm the strike, causal link and duration actually attributable to the external event.
Passenger rights under EU261
Fixed compensation may be excluded where a bird strike genuinely caused the disruption and the airline took appropriate measures. Care, rerouting and reimbursement rights can still apply.
Compensation rules
The occurrence of a bird strike and the reasonable operational response should both be considered. Unnecessary additional delay after the event can be relevant to the final assessment.
Statistics
Bird-strike cases combine an external event with a separate review of the airline's mitigation response.
Bird strikes are external to the airline's normal activity.
The airline's response still forms part of the legal analysis.
Passenger assistance rights can continue.
Timeline
The disruption timeline should separate the strike itself from the time required to inspect and recover the aircraft.
- 1
Bird strike
An aircraft encounters a bird or flock.
- 2
Safety inspection
The aircraft is checked for damage and airworthiness.
- 3
Mitigation review
The airline's recovery options and timing are examined.
- 4
Rights assessment
Compensation and care obligations are determined separately.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bird strike an extraordinary circumstance?
It is generally capable of being extraordinary because it is an external event.
Does that automatically end the claim?
No. Causation and reasonable measures still need to be assessed.
Do care rights still apply?
Yes. Extraordinary circumstances do not automatically remove care, rerouting or reimbursement rights.
Related knowledge
Explore more information related to bird strike, passenger rights and flight compensation under EU261.