Manila: The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced a significant decrease in bird strike incidents at airports nationwide, reporting a 9.7 percent drop for September compared to the same period last year. The announcement was made on Wednesday during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.
According to Philippines News Agency, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio highlighted that many of the 44 commercial airports under CAAP’s operation are situated near seashores, which are frequented by migratory birds seeking food. Airports in Iloilo, Davao, and Puerto Princesa have been identified as particularly high-risk areas for bird strikes.
To address this issue, CAAP has been actively implementing a wildlife hazard program in collaboration with industry partners and local government units. Efforts include cutting grass and trimming trees to discourage birds from nesting near airport runways.
A bird strike, which involves a collision between a bird in flight and an aircraft, typically occurs during takeoff or landing. Such incidents can result in varying degrees of damage, potentially disrupting flight schedules, increasing maintenance needs, and impacting overall airline operations.
Earlier this year, AirAsia Philippines reported experiencing over 90 bird strike incidents at various domestic airports from January to August, with six incidents causing damage to aircraft components. Apolonio noted that engine damage from bird strikes often leads to flight cancellations or delays.
