Fiji Airways Boeing returns safely to Christchurch after bird strike

A spokesperson for New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated that it would wait for the airline's formal report before deciding whether to launch an investigation into the incident.

Some passengers reported feeling mildly shaken or dizzy after circling above the region but were otherwise in good spirits. They were accommodated on a replacement flight the following day.

After repairs and safety checks, the aircraft returned to Nadi as FJ2450 on October 10 and is scheduled for regular service between Fiji and Australia starting October 11.

Christchurch Airport experiences more bird strikes than any other airport in New Zealand, with CAA figures showing 54 incidents last year. However, this number remains low compared internationally; New Zealand averages about 1,500 reported bird strikes annually—roughly four per every 10,000 aircraft movements.

Fiji Airways operates several flights connecting major cities in Australia and New Zealand with its hub at Nadi International Airport. Its fleet includes Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 737 MAX 8s, Airbus A330-200s/-300s, and A350-900s. The airline is part of Oneworld Alliance and offers frequent flyer benefits through American Airlines’ AAdvantage Programme. In addition to domestic routes within Oceania via subsidiary Fiji Link, it also provides long-haul connections to North America—including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth—and Asian destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo Narita.

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