PESHAWAR: The Civil Aviation Authority has asked the district administration to take immediate steps to stop the dumping of unauthorised waste and garbage around Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar.

In a letter to the deputy commissioner of Peshawar, BKIAP chief operating officer Obaidur Rehman Abbasi pointed out that the movement of large and small birds had significantly increased in the surroundings of the airport due to the illegal dumping of waste and the existence of butcher’s shops and slaughterhouses, which posed serious threat to military and commercial aircraft.

“Due to this menace, many commercial and military flights and aircraft have encountered bird hits causing equipment damages and severe threat to the life of passengers apart from heavy financial losses to airline operations,” he said.

CAA official says illegal activity threatens aircraft safety

The official said waste was regularly dumped in both Abdara side and Tehkal area, where the aircraft landed and took off from.

He said according to Rule 68 of Civil Aviation Rules, 1994, eight kilometers area around the airport should be cleared of bird activities, while any bird attraction site within the prescribed area should be cleared to comply with the recommended standards.

The BKIAP, which is surrounded by residential and commercial localities, serves as an airbase and is also used for domestic and international flights.

Sources said on average, three to four cases of birds encounter with aircraft occurred during landing and takeoff at the BKIAP every month.

They also said stray dogs frequently and freely made their entry to the airport’s premises.

“The CAA regularly brings this serious issue to the notice of authorities of the cantonment board and district government, but response is very poor,” said an official.

He said the CAA had launched awareness campaign across the country to ensure the safety of aircraft.

The official said the aerial dropping of pamphlets would be launched in the provincial capital on Saturday to educate people about aircraft safety.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2019