Recently, an IndiGo flight headed for Bengaluru had to cancel its departure, turning a regular takeoff at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport into a terrifying experience. Why? During takeoff on March 24, an eagle collided with the aircraft. The runway had previously been blocked for re-carpeting work, leaving the 179 passengers delayed for more than 13 hours, but they were all safe.

This is not a single case. This year, there have been four such incidents. Thirteen confirmed bird hits were reported at the airport in 2024 alone, and seventeen in 2023. What is causing this increasing risk.

The issue occurs in the capital city, just beyond the airport’s boundaries. Birds, mainly scavengers like eagles and crows, are still drawn to uncontrolled slaughterhouses and open trash disposal within 10 kilometers of the airport. Because even a tiny bird attack can seriously harm an aircraft during takeoff or landing, this is a critical safety concern.

Slaughtering animals or disposing of waste close to airports are prohibited under aviation regulations. However, these regulations have been ignored and local authorities have found it difficult to take immediate action.

Using CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Adani Group, which currently operates the airport, have attempted to manage the issue. Regular rubbish collection and disposal have been organized. These initiatives have somewhat decreased the number of bird strikes, but they haven’t entirely resolved the issue.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took notice of the problem and recently organized a conference to address the bird threat more thoroughly. The mission of the state government is to make the area around the airport a model of cleanliness and safety for the rest of the city. It is hoped that improved coordination between authorities and more robust waste management will make flights safer and prevent similar situations in the future.