The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported a 9.7 percent decline in bird strike incidents in September compared to the same month last year.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said on Wednesday, October 22, during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing that the decrease reflects the agency’s continuing efforts to manage wildlife hazards in airports across the country.
He said CAAP implements a wildlife hazard management program in partnership with local government units and aviation stakeholders to minimize the risk of aircraft-bird collisions.
The program includes regular grass cutting and tree trimming around runways to prevent birds from nesting and feeding near flight paths.
Apolonio explained that most of the 44 commercial airports operated by CAAP are located near coastal areas, which serve as feeding grounds for migratory birds, making them more vulnerable to bird strikes.
He identified the airports in Iloilo, Davao, and Puerto Princesa as among the high-risk locations.
A bird strike occurs when an aircraft collides with a bird in flight, typically during takeoff or landing. Such incidents can damage aircraft components, delay flights, and affect overall airline operations.
AirAsia Philippines earlier reported more than 90 bird strike incidents in domestic airports from January to August this year, six of which caused damage to aircraft parts.
Apolonio said engine damage from bird strikes often forces airlines to cancel or delay flights while ensuring safety inspections and maintenance are completed.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.