Despite advancements in aviation safety, the threat of bird-plane collisions remains a concern for the aviation industry. While most incidents do not cause significant damage, collisions with large birds or flocks can pose serious risks to aircraft safety.
To mitigate this risk, airports worldwide employ various strategies to deter birds from entering airspace and runway areas. One such method, captured in a viral video taken at Mumbai airport, involves employing professional “bird scarers” who use firecrackers to scare away birds.
This video, shared on Reddit, garnered attention, with users discussing the importance of such measures in ensuring aviation safety. Commenters noted that bird strikes can have catastrophic consequences for pilots, passengers, and aircraft, highlighting the necessity of proactive bird control measures.
Beyond firecrackers, airports utilize a range of tactics tailored to their specific environments. Some airports, like Salt Lake City International Airport in the USA, employ pigs to consume gull eggs and reduce the bird population. Others, like Southwest Florida International Airport, utilize border collies to chase away herons and egrets.
Innovative solutions include the use of LED screens at France’s Lourdes-Tarbes-Pyrénées airport to deter raptors and advanced radar systems at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Istanbul Airport to track bird movements. Air controllers can activate air cannons to disperse flocks detected within proximity to the airport, further enhancing safety measures.
These multifaceted approaches underscore the aviation industry’s commitment to minimizing the risk of bird strikes and ensuring the safety of air travel for passengers and crew alike.
