Bird strike a looming threat at Pune airport, agencies on toes

Time of India

a day ago

Pune: Rising concern over bird strikes at the Pune airport where as many as 12 such incidents were reported by Aug first week has brought various authorities together to contemplate options to keep both civil flights and fighter jets safe in the air and on the runway.
Ministry of civil aviation data said 120 incidents have been reported between 2022 and Aug 2025. The number of bird strikes increased notably in 2022 and 30 incidents were recorded. In 2023, the number rose to 39, with 2024 reporting the same. An additional 12 incidents were added to the growing figures by the first week of Aug 2025 — causing disquiet.
On Wednesday afternoon, around 140 passengers of an Air India Express's Pune-Bhubaneswar flight (IX-1098) had a close shave as the aircraft aborted take-off because of a bird hit after it started rolling on the runway.
A source in the airport said the right engine of the aircraft, an Airbus A-320, was damaged.
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Airport director Santosh Dhoke said, "The IAF takes care of the entire air operation activity. We do not have direct responsibility." The Indian Air Force (IAF) manages the Pune airport and operates two squadrons of Sukhoi fighter jets.
Recently, the IAF communicated with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), attributing the rise in bird strikes to a lack of cleanliness in the areas surrounding the airport.
They provided a comprehensive plan to PMC for action to mitigate the issue. Internally, IAF officials reported that they had implemented all necessary standard measures used at other airports in the country to ensure that birds are cleared from the operating area.
A senior IAF officer said, "A survey conducted by an ornithology specialist was completed sometime back. The bird hazard combat team operates 24 hours a day to ensure smooth air operations at the base while supporting civil flights.
Furthermore, we have eight to 10 bird-scaring functional modules — including crackers, beating of drum reflectors, falcon traps, owl modules and zone guns — to counter the bird threat.
"
Speaking to TOI on Thursday, minister of state for civil aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol said PMC was working on a plan for proper garbage management around the airport.
"I held a meeting recently on the matter with senior PMC and airport officials as well as other stakeholders.
A total of 11 spots around the airport have been identified as major spots where garbage accumulates and the civic body has been tasked with finding a solution for the same. The work is on and it will take some time for things to get normal. However, we will speak with PMC commissioner again for an update," Mohol told TOI.
Asked about all bird strikes not being made public, sources said minor incidents happen and the same are often not confirmed by airlines.
"In case of technical issues with a flight, a DGCA team and airlines engineers inspect the same and send their report to the DGCA headquarters. Airports like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, etc, have seen far more bird-hit incidents this year till June as compared to Pune," they said.
Meanwhile, aviation experts and frequent travellers termed the problem alarming and hazardous.
Aviation expert Dhairyashil Vandekar said, "Even one bird strike can cause an aircraft to crash.
The level of danger is significant." He specifically noted that improved coordination among agencies at the airport was essential to tackle such external issues.
"The incidents indicate the need for better coordination between the Airport Authority of India, IAF, PMC and the forest department. Encroachment prevention and waste management around the airport, along with swift animal rescue operations, should be a priority.
A task force, comprising members of all the said agencies must be formed. It should periodically monitor the airport areas and along the periphery. Joint rapid response teams could be established to tackle intrusions by animals and birds," added Vandekar — who has been pursuing the matter with the aviation ministry.
Aviation expert and Group Captain Johnson Chacko (retd) told TOI, "The situation points to accumulation of garbage in the open areas surrounding the air force station.
The neighbourhood must be sanitised properly. If not, birds will become a looming threat compared to anything else. Additionally, cultivating citronella grass should be considered, as its sharp leaves can injure birds and keep them away from the airfield.
The method was implemented successfully at the Lucknow civil airfield and a similar solution should be employed in Pune."
PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram told TOI, "We have initiated a series of measures, including cleaning vacant land plots near the airport.
Some positive results have emerged; however, the true impact will be evident only after a few weeks. We are fully aware how serious the bird threat is at the airport."
Regular flyers have expressed concern about disruptions at the airport because of such factors. "One can't guarantee that a flight will take off or land safely at Pune airport. We have often encountered problems over the last two years and it is frustrating," said Akansha Kulkarni, a frequent traveller.
Meanwhile, a section of passengers acknowledged improvements in infrastructure — such as the lounge, seating arrangement and other facilities with the opening of a new terminal. "But the most essential aspect is safe flying. It will be achieved if the authorities effectively handle external factors, particularly given the increasing footfall at the airport," said Yogesh Kulkarni, another regular flyer.
Graphic:
HEAD: Hurdles In 2025
Bird Strike:
- June 20: Air India flight AI-2469 suffered a bird strike while landing in Pune, leading to the cancellation of its return journey to Delhi. It affected over 100 passengers
- June 5: A Delhi-Pune flight was diverted to Surat because of heavy bird activity near the runway
- May 20: A Hyderabad-bound flight from Pune was delayed for nearly six hours because of bird interference
Stray dogs:
- June 30: Air India Express flight IX-1097 aborted landing after air traffic control reported dogs on the runway
- Feb 13: A SpiceJet flight to Ahmedabad cancelled takeoff after colliding with a stray dog on the runway
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