Air New Zealand flight returns to Invercargill after bird strike

Thursday 2 October 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Thu 2 Oct 2025, 6:09pm

In this story Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand flight NZ5704 was forced to return to Invercargill Airport after a bird strike occurred shortly after take-off on Thursday morning. The aircraft, bound for Christchurch, departed at 8.25am and was back on the tarmac by 8.51am. The return was reported as a safe landing.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldThu 2 Oct 2025, 1:47pm

   Bird strike forces Air NZ plane back to Invercargill after take-off (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesThu 2 Oct 2025, 3:42pm

   Bird strike forces Invercargill flight to turn back (opens in new tab)

3. StuffThu 2 Oct 2025, 6:09pm

   Flight to Christchurch loops back after bird strike (opens in new tab)