Ryanair flight from UK lands safely after bird strike

LONDON – Ireland-based airline Ryanair says a flight heading to the Spanish island of Mallorca aborted its flight shortly after takeoff and returned to the airport in Manchester, England, because of a bird strike.

Airline spokesman Piaras Kelly said Friday that "the aircraft landed normally and the flight to Palma will operate as soon as possible."

Kelly characterized the incident as a "minor bird strike."