Airport authorities have been conducting safety measures against bird strikes in airports nationwide following the tragic incident that happened on a commercial plane in South Korea last month that left 179 airline passengers dead.
In a statement, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said a total of 181 bird strike incidents happened at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last year, adding that around 480 bird strike incidents also happened in various ports across the country.
The CAAP said various measures are already in place like dispersal tools and habitat control.
For his part, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Eric Ines said they are actively working to mitigate the bird strike hazards.
“Birds often gather near grassy airport areas, drawn to insects, lizards, and frogs from drainage systems. When sucked into aircraft engines, these birds pose a significant threat,” said Ines.
Ines said deterrent measures such as acoustic devices, methane-powered cannons, and balloons with predator eyes have been deployed. But he said birds eventually adapt, reducing the effectiveness of these methods.
Pigeons, in particular, present a unique challenge, according to Ines.
“Their erratic behavior complicates efforts to clear them from airport vicinity. To address this, local governments are urged to enforce an 8-kilometer no-pigeon-raising zone around airports,” he said.
The bird strike issue gained urgency following the Jeju Air crash in South Korea, which underscored the global impact of bird strikes.
Aviation experts warn that bird strikes not only jeopardize safety but also result in billions of dollars in damages annually, with engines being most vulnerable.