CAA pens letter over bird activity in close proximity to Jinnah International Airport

Cites large amounts of garbage spread in adjacent colonies as a reason for heavy bird activity around the area

KARACHI: After two more incidents of bird collisions were reported by the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the Chief Operation Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Imran Khan penned a letter to concerned authorities regarding bird activity in close proximity to Jinnah International Airport.

In the first incident, nozzle of flight PK-301, enroute from Islamabad to Karachi, was damaged after a bird strike. Similarly, another bird strike left a hole in the flaps of the wings of aircraft PK-311, enroute from Quetta to Karachi.

In his letter, COO Khan noted there has been a large number of bird strikes at both national and foreign carriers during recent months, and the shooting of birds by airport management has failed to make any positive change.

He stressed upon the need to deal with bird strikes - causing in-flight accidents and resulting in the disability of the aircraft, as well as the loss of human lives.

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He noted that large amounts of garbage spread in adjacent colonies and housing schemes are generating heavy bird activity around the airport.

COO Khan requested the concerned authorities to ensure that meat, fish, poultry from shops and eating places are stored in covered bins and transported away from the airport for disposal.

He added that garbage dumping areas should be at a reasonable distance from the airport - preferably on one side - to avoid movement of birds from one area of the airport to another.

The COO further stated that immediate action must be taken when bird activity is noticed on a permanent basis, and the cause of bird activity to be closely studied.