Lahore airport sees most PIA bird collisions

New technology promised to curb incidents

LAHORE:

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is grappling with incidents of bird strikes on its aircrafts, both within Pakistan and abroad, with a sharp increase this year. The data revealed that Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport topped the list with 16 bird strike incidents.

The collisions have damaged several Boeing, Airbus, and ATR planes, forcing some aircraft to be grounded and disrupting flight operations.

According to official documents obtained by Express News, PIA recorded 90 bird strike incidents over the past nine months alone, causing losses amounting to billions of rupees.

The national carrier, already struggling with a shortage of operational aircraft, is now facing serious challenges in maintaining its flight schedules, resulting in hours-long delays for passengers across domestic and international routes.

Islamabad International Airport reported 15 bird strikes, Multan Airport 13, while Karachi and Peshawar airports reported nine cases each.

Quetta and Sialkot followed with six incidents each.

PIA aircraft also encountered bird strikes abroad - one each in Jeddah, Madinah, and Sharjah, two in Dammam, and one each in Dubai, Bahrain, and Kuala Lumpur.

Pilots also reported four midair bird strike incidents at unidentified locations.

Among the affected planes were three Boeing 777s, one Airbus A320, and two ATRs, with some requiring major repairs.

In September 2025 alone, 26 such incidents were reported compared to just 10 in the same month last year, reflecting a sharp year-on-year increase.

Overall, PIA logged 90 bird strikes in the first nine months of 2025, up from 83 during the same period in 2024.

Most of the collisions occurred during landing, takeoff, or taxiing phases, when aircraft are most vulnerable.

PIA officials confirmed that the repeated bird strikes have caused not only financial losses but also operational disruptions, damaging the airline's reputation as passengers endure long delays.

A spokesperson for the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) stated that comprehensive anti-bird measures are being implemented at airports nationwide. In Lahore, the PCAA has collaborated with the Punjab government and Cantonment Board to conduct regular operations against bird-attracting activities.

Officials noted that food outlets and residential colonies near the Lahore airport's approach paths have worsened the problem, as residents often keep pigeons and other birds.

A joint monitoring committee has been formed to curb such practices, and the Director General of PCAA has personally inspected multiple airports to oversee implementation.

The spokesperson added that tenders for installing modern bird detection and deterrent systems have been finalised, and the new technology will help significantly reduce the presence of birds within airport perimeters.