Bird-hit incidents drop at city airport

Coimbatore: Bird-hit incidents have drastically dropped at the city airport in the first three months of this year. While the airport had recorded 29 bird-hit incidents in the last three months (October-December) of 2023, only seven such incidents were reported from January to March this year.
S Senthilvalavan, city airport director, said, “Every year, we experience a high number of bird-hit incidents in October, November, and December.Kites, which are birds of prey, are primarily responsible for most of such strikes at the city airport. During monsoon season, heavy movement of kites could be seen around the airport.”
To curb bird-hit incidents, the airport has deployed ‘bird chasers’ at every 200 meters. According to another airport official, they have roped in 24 ‘bird chasers’, who work in two shifts. “They are equipped with walkie-talkies to promptly alert the air traffic control authorities about bird movement, if any. Aircraft movement will be halted until clearance is received. Firecrackers are being used to chase the birds away.”
Senthilvalavan said efforts were also on to control insect populations on the airport premises in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). “TNAU professors have inspected the soil at the airport and provided recommendations. Regular grass cutting and insecticide spraying are being done to combat the termite issue.”
He said they were also trying to address the issue of dumping garbage, which attracts birds, in the vicinity of the airport. “We are working with the city corporation to find a permanent solution to it.”