Bird Strike Concerns Rise at Ahmedabad Airport: Urgent Call for Action

Ahmedabad airport has recorded 319 bird and wildlife strikes from January 2018 to October 2023, ranking it third nationally. While bird strikes weren't blamed for a recent crash, the People For Animals Public Policy Foundation urges the enforcement of aviation safety rules to mitigate such incidents.

Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has reported 319 bird and wildlife strikes from January 2018 to October 2023, placing it third in such incidents, trailing only Delhi and Mumbai. This information was revealed by the People For Animals Public Policy Foundation, following a fatal crash near the airport that claimed 270 lives. Although bird strikes were not cited as a cause for the crash, the frequency of these incidents raises serious safety concerns.

The People For Animals Public Policy Foundation argues that bird strikes nearly doubled in 2023, highlighting systemic safety lapses. The foundation stresses that a national enforcement of Rule 91 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, could mitigate future incidents. This rule prohibits activities that attract birds near aerodromes, like maintaining meat shops and garbage dumps, which continue to operate in airport vicinities despite longstanding safety concerns. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has acknowledged these risks but effective action remains elusive.

Gauri Maulekhi, Trustee and Member Secretary of the foundation, argues that the frequent bird strikes at Ahmedabad Airport represent ignored warnings and calls for stricter law enforcement. Policy specialist Mihir Dawar emphasizes the need for accountability and swift action, urging the closure of illegal establishments near airports and better compliance monitoring.

(With inputs from agencies.)