RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has been considering procuring a bird repellent system at major airports to avoid bird activity around airports since 60 per cent bird strikes occur during monsoon season.

The system will be installed at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport and Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport in the first phase, and officials believe that it will reduce bird strikes to aircraft during landing and take-off.

Birds in large numbers have been seen around Lahore Airport during pre-monsoon and monsoon season as three incidents of bird strike have already taken place in recent days at the airport. Earlier on Sunday, the PCAA had issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) in the wake of these incidents, advising pilots to be extra careful while approaching the runway and taking off.

A notice issued on June 18 stated: “In view of monsoon season, heavy bird activity around the airfield below 3000ft is observed. Pilots are advised to exercise extreme care while approaching and take of phase.”

The notice would remain valid till Sept 13, 2022. At Allama Iqbal International Airport, 198 incidents of bird strike had taken place during 2018 while Jinnah International Airport was the second with 192 incidents and Islamabad airport reported 100 such incidents. The situation at Sialkot Airport was not very satisfactory as it reported 53 incidents during this period.

A total of 662 incidents were reported from 2018 till May 31, 2022. Of the 662 aircraft, substantial damage was caused to six aircraft, minor damage was caused to 94 aircraft while no damage was done to 562 aircraft. In 2018, 116 bird strike incidents were reported, 165 in 2019, 141 in 2020, 142 in 2021 and 48 till May 31, 2022.

During a meeting held under the chairmanship of airport manager with the civil administration, officials from Pakistan Air Force (PAF), army and other relevant officials, it was discussed that effective control over solid waste removal will be gained.

A new system with variable sound frequency such as ultra sound pressure system was recommended for procurement besides installation of pressure horns, installation of high-density hunting lights, deployment of bird shooters and patrolling vehicles on airside.

Spokesman for authority said on Thursday that substantial measures were taken to control birds and in this regard, all available resources and means are being employed to keep flight operation safe.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2022