Ahmedabad Airport Faces Alarming Rise in Bird-Hit Incidents Amid Crash Concerns
Ahmedabad: Following the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad, attention has shifted to the safety conditions at the city’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, particularly the growing issue of bird strikes. According to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, the airport reported 77 bird-hit incidents in 2024 alone, with 29 cases already recorded in just the first six months of the year. This puts Ahmedabad among the top airports in India facing this aviation hazard, trailing only major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
In comparison, Delhi airport topped the list with 130 bird hits, while Mumbai and Bengaluru reported 86 and 88 incidents, respectively. Even other major airports like Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai reported fewer bird strikes – each logging 43 cases last year. Sources say the primary cause of the bird menace around Ahmedabad airport is illegal dumping of garbage in open areas, which attracts large numbers of birds. Environmental factors such as open trash sites, nearby water bodies, and ongoing construction work further exacerbate the issue by creating bird-friendly habitats in close proximity to flight paths.
This worrying data comes just days after the Airports Authority of India (AAI) received a legal notice from a former state government official, demanding strict action against around 25 poultry and meat shops operating near the airport. The notice urges immediate shutdown of these establishments, which are believed to contribute to the bird problem. Officials say the situation tends to worsen during and after the monsoon season. In response, the airport has implemented several measures to reduce wildlife hazards, including the deployment of bio-acoustic deterrent systems and dedicated bird-scaring teams equipped with specialized firecrackers.
As Ahmedabad continues to deal with the fallout from the recent air crash, the spike in bird-hit incidents is now under the spotlight – adding a fresh layer of urgency to address safety at the city’s primary airport.
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