Air Malta flight KM328 from Malta to Frankfurt was yesterday involved in a bird strike incident. The aircraft landed normally at its destination, the airline said.

An Air Malta spokesperson said that standard procedure entails that the aircraft is checked after the flight. The inspection by engineers found that the aircraft required maintenance and was not in a position to operate the return sector to Malta (KM 329).

The Malta bound passengers were offered hotel accommodation.

To minimise inconvenience as much as possible, this morning Air Malta sent a relief aircraft to Frankfurt. Flight KM329 is expected to depart Frankfurt at 1145hrs and land in Malta at 1435hrs.

No major flights delays for today are expected as a consequence of this incident.

The spokesman said that Air Malta gave utmost importance to the safety and well-being of its clients and crew and apologised to its clients for any inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond its control.