JEDDAH | October 26, 2025 — A Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) Boeing 777 operating as flight SV340 from Algiers to Jeddah reportedly struck a flock of birds shortly after takeoff from Algiers’ Houari Boumediene Airport on October 25. The aircraft continued its journey and landed safely in Jeddah several hours later. It was initially believed that the strike occurred on approach to Jeddah, but new video evidence confirms the incident took place during departure from Algiers.
The nine year-old aircraft, registered HZ-AK31, sustained visible damage to its nose cone (radome) and nose-gear assembly following the impact. Despite the collision, the aircraft continued for a safe landing, and no injuries or fatalities were reported among.
Images from the ramp show extensive blood and debris patterns across the aircraft’s forward fuselage and landing-gear bay, consistent with a high-velocity multiple-bird impact.
FlightRadar24 data shows that Saudia operated an additional SV340 rotation that day, separate from the airline’s regularly scheduled evening service. The affected aircraft, HZ-AK31, departed Algiers at around 7.00 a.m. local time and landed in Jeddah at 1.30 p..m local time.
Flight details
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-3FG/ER
- Registration: HZ-AK31
- Operator: Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines)
- Flight: SV340 — Algiers (DAAG) to Jeddah (OEJN)
- Date: October 25, 2025
- Injuries/Fatalities: None
While there is no official confirmation of the incident yet, the news and images are widely shared on social media.
Seasonal Bird Hazard
Both Algiers and Jeddah lie along major migratory corridors that experience heavy bird movement during the autumn and spring seasons as flocks travel between Europe and Africa. Algiers sits on the Mediterranean migration route, while Jeddah is positioned along the Red Sea flyway. Bird strike risk in these regions typically increases between September and November, prompting airports and airlines to enhance wildlife-management and monitoring measures during this period.
Bird strike incidents often occur near airports during takeoff and landing, where aircraft fly at lower altitudes and speeds and are more vulnerable to impact.
As of this report, neither Saudia nor Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport has issued a public statement regarding the event. No official confirmation has been released about the extent of the damage or any maintenance actions undertaken following the flight’s arrival in Jeddah.
Editorial Note
An earlier version of this article stated that the bird strike occurred on approach to Jeddah. Subsequent video evidence confirmed that the incident took place shortly after takeoff from Algiers. The article has been updated to reflect this.
Images via @aviationbrk on X (formerly Twitter)
Read: Deadly Encounters: The Six Deadliest Bird Strikes in the History of Commercial Aviation
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