Air Malta said Thursday its flight KM612 encountered a bird strike during its descent into Rome airport.

The aircraft is subsequently undergoing precautionary technical and safety checks, Air Malta said.

The airline advised its customers that the return flight from Rome to Malta, which was scheduled to depart Italy at 10:10am was to be delayed.

The airline later said that KM613 from Rome to Malta departed Rome at 2.40pm with an expected time of arrival in Malta International Airport at 4.10pm.