Airport Authority of India (AAI) are taking steps to discourage birds’ concentration near Coimbatore International Airport (CIA) that recorded 21 bird hits in 2014. It is learnt that over 75 per cent bird hits here are during landings and take off of flights.
An official from CIA was among the representatives of AAI across the country who participated in a conference on hazard to aviation by wildlife that was organised at Mumbai International Airport Limited last week to discuss the impact of birds and animals on airport operations.
At the conference, ornithologists suggested measures to avoid bird hits in Coimbatore.
AAI authorities here have written to the Forest Department to relocate close to 60 peacocks in and around the airport.
A senior official said that the national bird that does not fly too high has become victim of bird hits and also affected flights due to their movement in the airport. CIA officials said that lapwings, kites and bats (rarely) also caused bird hits.
The airport authorities have also started growing grasses up to nearly six inches height.
“It is because birds rushed to the ground when they spotted insects in short grass, resulting in bird hits. Growing grass a little longer is to avoid visibility of these insects from the bird’s sight,” CIA Director D. Prakash Reddy told The Hindu .
The Airport Director also said that they would soon bring ornithologists to the airport to study the movement of birds, their nesting and to suggest long-term solutions.
