- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Passenger safety at Patna’s Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport is under growing threat due to overgrown trees and illegal cattle sheds (khatals) around the airport boundary, airport officials and aviation safety experts have warned. These factors are contributing to increased bird activity, raising the risk of bird strikes — a danger that has already resulted in multiple close calls.
Authorities say a lack of regular pruning of trees along the airport's perimeter has led to excessive foliage, which becomes nesting grounds for birds, especially during the monsoon. These trees not only obstruct the flight path but also attract birds, posing a serious risk to aircraft during takeoff and landing.
Adding to the problem are illegal khatals and garbage dumps situated between the boundary walls of Phulwarisharif railway station and the airport. These locations serve as feeding grounds for birds, increasing their presence in the area. Despite repeated requests from the Airport Authority to the local administration for the removal of these hazards, little action has been taken.
An official from the Airport Environment Management Committee stated, “Bird activity around the airport and nearby encroachments is a serious operational hazard. Thousands of passengers fly from this airport every day. Their safety is at risk.”
Recent Bird-Hit Incidents:
-July 9, 2025: Indigo flight 6E 5009 to Delhi experienced a bird strike immediately after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying 169 passengers, was safely returned to Patna airport. The incident was linked to illegal meat markets attracting birds in the Phulwari Sharif area.
-June 19, 2022: A Delhi-bound SpiceJet flight caught fire mid-air due to a bird strike. The flight safely returned, and all 185 passengers were unharmed. DGCA’s initial probe confirmed a bird hit as the cause.
Causes Behind Frequent Bird Hits:
-Unregulated meat shops & garbage: Areas like Phulwarisharif have become hotspots for bird activity due to waste and open meat markets.
-Waterlogging & open fields: Accumulated water and open patches near the airport create a favourable environment for birds.
-Lack of enforcement: Despite repeated warnings by the Airport Authority of India (AAI), little has been done at the administrative level to mitigate these threats.
Consequences of Bird Strikes:
-Aircraft damage: Engines, windshields, and landing gear are at high risk, endangering lives on board.
-Operational delays: Bird strikes often lead to emergency landings, causing flight cancellations or major delays.
Suggested Measures:
-Technology-based deterrents: Use of radar, drones, air cannons, and laser guns to repel birds.
-Waste management: Ensuring strict cleanliness around airport zones and immediate removal of illegal khatals and slaughterhouses.
-Administrative intervention: Strict action from local bodies to implement safety directives and enforce no-construction zones around the airport.
Despite previous directives from the Divisional Commissioner for regular tree trimming and surroundings clean-up, airport officials say the lack of follow-up action continues to leave passengers and aircraft vulnerable. Experts warn that without immediate intervention, the risk of a major air disaster remains dangerously high.
