Bird-Hit Cases Surge to 1,782 Last Year, Civil Aviation Ministry Informs Parliament

The government informed the Lok Sabha that India's airports recorded 6,337 bird-hit incidents over the past five years, with officials stressing that such events can at times cause serious damage to aircraft and disrupt operations.

Data shared in a written reply by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol showed that bird strikes at airports reached 1,782 last year, higher than the 1,278 incidents reported in 2024 across the country.

Bird-hit incidents at airports rise over five-year period

The figures reveal a steady increase in bird-hit incidents at airports, except for some yearly shifts. There were 775 reported cases in 2021, rising to 1,131 in 2022 and then 1,371 in 2023, before touching 1,278 in 2024 and 1,782 last year.

Officials said bird-hit incidents at airports are taken seriously because they can harm aircraft structure and engines. Such hits may also lead to delays, emergency returns, or cancellations, prompting closer tracking of wildlife activity in airport surroundings by aviation authorities and airport operators.

Safety rules for bird-hit incidents at airports

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued regulations and detailed guidelines for managing potential wildlife hazards at licensed airports. These rules cover monitoring of birds and animals, record-keeping, reporting bird-hit incidents and planning preventive measures suited to each airport's local environment.

Operators of licensed airports have drawn up Wildlife Hazard Management Plans that list procedures for reducing bird-hit incidents. Airfield Environment Management Committees work at each airport to locate wildlife attractants, such as open waste or water bodies, and then coordinate steps with local agencies to control those risks.