Experts warn of rising bird strike risks at Dhaka airport

Highlights 

• Dhaka airport has a bird strike rate of 1.73 per 1,000 flights, significantly higher than the global average of 0.5
• It poses serious risks to aviation safety
• Despite deploying bird shooters and other control measures, birds continue to frequent the airport area
• It indicates the ineffectiveness of current deterrence strategies
• Water bodies, food waste and green grass around the airport attract birds, increasing their activity near runways
• The risk of bird strikes rises during winter, further endangering flight operations during the season

Safety officials at local airlines and aviation stakeholders have expressed concerns over the increasing risk of bird strikes at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the country's main air gateway. 

The concerns were raised during a discussion following a recent crash at South Korea's Muan International Airport involving 181 passengers, reportedly caused by a bird strike compounded by adverse weather.

Such incidents underscore the urgent need for improved bird control measures at Dhaka airport to ensure aviation safety.

"The bird strike rate at Dhaka airport is significantly higher than the global average," said AAMM Shamsuzzaman, head of Safety at US-Bangla Airlines, during a discussion on "Recent Aviation Disasters and the Quest for a Safer Sky."

"While the global average is 0.5 per 1,000 flights, Dhaka airport's rate stands at 1.73," he added at the event, organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) at its auditorium today (8 Janaury).

Bird strikes at Dhaka airport have become a growing concern, with several incidents making headlines.  

"The water bodies around the airport attract flocks of birds in search of fish and insects. Additionally, food waste and the green grass on the runway appeal to birds, increasing their activity in the area," said Professor Md Anwarul Haq Beg of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University at the event.  

He suggested preventive measures to ensure that fish are not available in nearby water bodies.  

"There must also be a coordinated effort with Dhaka North City Corporation for proper waste management to prevent birds from being attracted to the area," he added.  

The risk of bird strikes at the airport increases in winter.  

Experts revealed that despite deploying bird shooters to deter birds, these measures have proved to be insufficient, as birds continue to frequent the airport vicinity.  

Aviation experts warn that birds entering an aircraft's engine during take-off can cause significant damage, potentially leading to engine failure and placing pilots under immense stress.  

Airlines have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of current bird deterrence strategies, noting that incidents persist.  

Group Captain Md Kamrul Islam, executive director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, said, "Around 80-82% of birds in the Dhaka airport area are Black Kites. We are trying to reduce the bird population, though it is a challenging job."  

He explained that both active and passive bird control measures are being implemented. Active measures include deploying bird shooters, while passive strategies involve detection systems, sound repellents, laser guns and frequency irritants.  

A comprehensive survey is underway to identify and address sources attracting birds, such as open food waste, water bodies, butcher shops and restaurants near the airport.  

Over the past four years, at least seven domestic and international aircraft, including Biman Bangladesh Airlines' London-bound Dreamliner, have sustained damage due to bird strikes at various airports.  

Notably, two separate bird strike incidents occurred on the same day at Shahjalal Airport, affecting both Biman and FlyDubai aircraft. In another instance, a Biman flight made an emergency landing following a bird strike at Saidpur Airport.  

Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, emphasised the importance of safety in the aviation sector.  

"I had not intended to end this session on a sombre note, but recent tragic aviation disasters remind us of the need to remain vigilant against impending risks," he said.  

"We understand the concerns and anxieties of the public, and I would like to assure everyone that every possible step is being taken to ensure the highest standards of safety in our airspace."  

The CAAB chairman stressed that aviation safety is of paramount importance. In a fast-growing aviation industry, mitigating safety risks is becoming increasingly challenging.  

"These risks must be addressed proactively to ensure that this significant expansion is carefully managed through strategic regulation and infrastructure," he said.  

He also urged airlines to adopt a "just culture" to facilitate the implementation of the Safety Management System (SMS).