Flight returns to Barcelona airport upon hitting bird shortly after departure

A Ryanair flight has returned to Barcelona airport shortly after their departure from the Catalan capital upon hitting one or several birds.

The plane, a Boeing 737-800, departed on Wednesday evening but "encountered a minor bird strike," as sources of the carrier confirmed to Catalan News.

"The aircraft landed normally, and passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft which departed to Liverpool," explained Ryanair, apologizing for the delay the incident caused.

Indeed, its scheduled arrival time was set for 10.25pm local time but it ended up landing at 1.35am, over three hours later.

Some residents near the airport reported an unusual noise as the plane flew over their homes. Thus, the birds may have bumped into its engines, which obliged the crew to return to the facility located in El Prat de Llobregat.

Ryanair CEO in Barcelona

The incident occurred only a few hours after the CEO of the Irish company, Eddie Wilson, presented their routes for the fall and winter seasons, including three new destinations: Newcastle (UK), Frankfurt (Germany) and Bordeux (France).

Wilson also talked to Catalan News, where he called on authorities for incentives to expand flight operations in Catalonia.

Wilson said that public support could make them reopen their base in Reus airport and keep the existing one working in Girona not only in summer, but also in winter.