A Shanghai-to-Shenzhen flight experienced a bird strike after takeoff, with "passengers claiming to have seen what appeared to be a detached radar dome on the aircraft nose"; China Southern Airlines statement: the flight has safely returned, and another aircraft has been promptly dispatched to operate the same route.

On March 21, China Southern Airlines issued a statement:

This afternoon, flight CZ3554 (Shanghai Hongqiao to Shenzhen) encountered a bird strike after takeoff. The crew handled the situation strictly according to procedures, and the flight safely returned to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. The company immediately activated its contingency plan, provided passenger services, and quickly dispatched another aircraft to operate the flight. We apologize for the inconvenience caused to passengers. The company always prioritizes passenger safety and appreciates their understanding and support.

Previous reports:

In the afternoon of March 21, a netizen posted that the China Southern Airlines flight CZ3554 from Shanghai Hongqiao to Shenzhen Bao’an Airport suspectedly encountered a bird collision and returned to the airport. Passengers on the flight reported seeing the radar cover at the aircraft’s nose appear to be detached after disembarking.

Red Star News reporters learned from Hongqiao Airport customer service staff in the afternoon that the flight was indeed delayed, and subsequent flights were being arranged. A China Southern Airlines customer service representative stated that the aircraft returned due to a “bird strike” and that the next flight was scheduled to depart in the afternoon.

▲ Flight tracking app shows the flight returned shortly after takeoff

In the afternoon of the 21st, a netizen reported that their flight CZ3554 from Shanghai Hongqiao to Shenzhen Bao’an Airport took off and shortly afterward returned to Hongqiao Airport. After disembarking, they saw the radar cover at the aircraft’s nose appeared to be detached. The passenger mentioned that there was slight turbulence after takeoff and that they heard it was a bird strike. The passenger told Red Star News that the airline had replaced their aircraft, completing the subsequent journey. Photos taken by the passenger show that when they disembarked, the aircraft’s nose was already covered.

▲ Photo taken by a passenger upon disembarking

Red Star News reporters checked flight apps like “TravelSky” and found that the flight took off from Shanghai Hongqiao at 12:43 PM on the 21st and returned to Hongqiao at 1:06 PM. The aircraft used was an Airbus A330 wide-body, 8 years old.

Subsequently, Red Star News contacted staff at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. They confirmed that flight CZ3554 was indeed delayed that day, but the cause of the delay needed to be confirmed with the airline. After inquiry, China Southern Airlines customer service told reporters that the flight returned due to “bird strike factors” around the airport and was delayed; subsequent flights were scheduled for the afternoon of the 21st.

Source: Red Star News reporter Fu Yao, intern Chen Zheya, compiled by China Southern Airlines