A Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300 operating Flight TK731 from Colombo to Istanbul remains in a holding pattern off the western coast of Sri Lanka following a reported bird strike shortly after departure.
The aircraft has been circling for nearly two hours and is expected to return to Bandaranaike International Airport as a precaution. The Airbus A330-300 is not equipped with a fuel jettison system for this operation, so holding to burn fuel is a normal and well-established safety procedure before landing. This helps ensure the aircraft returns at an appropriate landing weight.
The flight has become the most-tracked aircraft worldwide on Flightradar24 as many people monitor its progress ahead of the precautionary landing: Aviation Voice
According to the available information, the aircraft remains fully under control, and all passengers and crew are safe on board. Airport emergency services are on standby as part of standard operating procedures for a precautionary landing. (Aviation Voice)
