The number of cases of aircraft being hit by birds has gone down from 67 in 2008 to 34 last year. This year, so far nine cases have been reported, according to the operator of the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).
"From the year 2008-09, we recorded at least 67-68 hits each year, the number dropped to almost half in 2010-11. The figure staggers at only nine for the present year," DIAL CEO I Prabhkara Rao said.
In 2009, there were 67 incidents, in 2010 the figure was 36 and in 2011 it was 34, according to DIAL.
Bird hits are a menace for the airlines and the airports. Such incidents generally happen at the time of takeoff or landing of plane, or when it is cruising at low altitude.
Apart from delaying flights and leading to loss of revenue to the airlines, bird hit incidents also compromise on passenger safety. The extent of damage to an aircraft depends on the weight and size of the bird and the speed difference and direction at the impact.
With various kinds of birds -- like Pariah Kite, owl, bat, jungle crow, lapwing, cattle egret -- being found in the vicinity of Delhi airport, DIAL has tried to control this problem using various methods. These include deputing a dedicated team of Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard inspectors, or BASHM, who guards the three runways of the airport from dawn to dusk. MORE
