Now, dogs too add to flight delays at Chennai Airport

A dog was spotted near the runway of the Chennai airport causing a few flight delays and forcing a cargo aircraft for a go-around on Wednesday.

Last year, a wild boar had entered the airport and was later rescued by the Blue Cross.

Airport sources said the dog might have entered through Gate 9 of the airport. Some portions of the compound wall were damaged after the floods and subsequently fenced. The dog might have entered through a gap in the fencing, they said.

Air India flights to Chennai, New Delhi and Mumbai were delayed owing to the incident, an airline official said.

Some people, who spotted the dog, took to Twitter immediately. EraseTheEgo @rv210861 posted: “Dog on the runway giving tough time to airport authorities. Getting delayed.”

Chennai airport had signed an MoU with Blue Cross a few months ago for catching dogs on the premises. Dawn Williams of Blue Cross said, “Soon after the incident, they called for assistance. Usually, after we catch them, we vaccinate and sterilise them. We go whenever they give us a call.”

But, dogs keep entering because food is thrown around by visitors and passengers. “We usually catch them outside the terminals. Dogs rarely enter the airside here,” he added.

A circular by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation notes: “Wildlife strikes pose a significant threat to flight safety and have caused a number of accidents. Most incidents occur at the critical phase of flight resulting in structural damage and damage to aircraft systems.”

A pilot of a private airline with about 15 years of experience said, “Animals like dogs or buffalos in the approach of the runway are extremely dangerous. If we spot them after touchdown, we have no option but to keep left or right till they are scared away. An animal-hit can damage the structure of the aircraft.”