In the past few months, more than 34 aircraft of Pakistan International Airlines were affected by bird strikes
KARACHI: According to an electronic media news, on Aug 26 (PIA flight PK-758 coming from London to Lahore) a Boeing 777 aircraft’s engine number one suffered considerable damage due to a bird strike. However, the pilot of the aircraft acted efficiently and successfully landed at the airport. Subsequently, the aircraft was grounded and repaired by a team of engineers for its next flight.
This should be a wake-up call for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as bird strikes have been increasing at airports across the country. It has been learnt that in a few months, more than 34 aircraft of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were affected by bird strikes which caused millions of rupees loss to the already cash-starved national flag carrier. In this regard, the CAA must learn from the PAF (Pakistan Air Force) where despite a very heavy flying schedule all across the country and the presence of many of PAF’s airfields in the sprawling cities of the country, hardly any bird-hit occurs. The PAF authorities should ensure that around its airfields there is no or minimum garbage, which is one of the primary reasons for the presence of birds which leads bird-hits. The CAA should seek professional advice from the PAF on the matter. Bird-hit should not be taken lightly as it might end up in a disaster.
It is mainly because of the habit of people to throw garbage carelessly and also because of the habit of throwing discarded food without consideration of anything else except personal ease. We should adopt healthy civic habits and have consideration for others.
M Asif
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2019.
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