Despite stricter enforcement of waste management rules, airports across Kerala continue to report bird strike incidents, which has seen a steady increase in the past six years.
Close to 350 cases of bird hits on aircraft were reported in the State from 2018 to 2023 with Cochin International Airport accounting for the majority of the cases. Most of the cases were reported either during the take-off or approaching phase of the flight.
Among the major airports in the country, Cochin airport, with 187 cases, stands 5th in terms of the total number of wildlife animal strikes, including bird strikes, reported during this period, according to the data tabled in Parliament by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Delhi airport tops the table with 710 cases in the past six years, followed by Mumbai with 352 cases, Ahmedabad with 319 cases, Bengaluru (271 cases) and Chennai (200 cases). Hyderabad has reported 186 bird strike incidents and Kolkata 181.
