The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will acquire additional wildlife control equipment from Canada in a bid to further curb bird strike incidents and minimise flight disruptions.
FAAN Managing Director Mrs Olubunmi Kuku disclosed this during a meeting with the executive and members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal II.
Daily Trust reports that bird strikes have led to substantial financial losses for airlines, particularly at MMIA, due to aircraft damage.
In response, FAAN had previously introduced advanced equipment in 2021, including various models of bird-scaring gas cannons, Dayboxes for pyrotechnics, 15,000 rounds of 12G bird-scaring pyrotechnics, a high-tech bird laser, Personal Protective Equipment for staff, a purpose-built TYPE IV explosive storage magazine, and a new Hilux jeep for runway wildlife patrol, among other tools.
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With these measures, operators have noted a recent reduction in bird strikes. FAAN’s managing director attributed this improvement to the adoption of new techniques, such as cutting grass at night to avoid attracting birds and acquiring additional wildlife control equipment.
“We used to receive daily reports of bird strikes, but now, it’s not uncommon to go two weeks without an incident. The few bird strikes we encounter now involve smaller birds that cause minimal damage.
“We are not just maintaining our current efforts; we are enhancing them with new technologies, including mobile units that will be introduced from Canada,” Mrs Kuku said.
AON Vice-President Mr Allen Onyema, commended FAAN’s proactive approach to addressing infrastructure challenges related to bird strikes.
Onyema, who is also the Chairman of Air Peace, noted that his airline experienced up to 43 bird strikes annually, leading to significant aircraft damage and flight disruptions.
“I’m pleased to see a substantial decrease in bird strikes since the beginning of this year.
“FAAN’s efforts have been highly effective, and I encourage the management to continue their work to keep these incidents under control,” he said.
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