Ryanair Plane Damaged by Seagull Strike at Essaouira Airport, Highlighting Safety Concerns

Coming from Marseille, the aircraft was damaged upon landing in Essaouira, following an unexpected collision with a seagull. The bird struck the wing of the plane, causing material damage.

This incident highlighted a major problem at Essaouira Mogador airport: the lack of necessary equipment to scare away birds, a measure that is nevertheless essential to ensure the safety of air operations, explains Rue20. According to sources on site, this shortcoming exposes the airport to the risk of accidents, highlighting an urgent need for compliance with international civil aviation standards.

Following the collision, the Ryanair Boeing 737 aircraft, with registration 9H-QDV, suffered damage not only to the right wing but also to part of the landing gear. The airline was forced to cancel the return flight to Marseille, leaving passengers waiting for a replacement aircraft to complete their return journey.