Planning for birds

AS birds compete with increasing numbers of aircraft for airspace, stringent measures have to be put in place to reduce incidents of bird strikes at airports.

Namibia’s Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKA) has adhered to the rule of the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) that every international airport must have a wildlife management plan. Namibia Airport Company’s Manager for the Hosea Kutako International Airport, Anton Theart, said they have a wildlife hazard committee, aimed at making the airport a safer place for aircraft.He said bird strikes, which occur when an aircraft comes into contact with a bird, do happen from time to time at Hosea Kutako Airport.Theart said that before an aircraft lands or takes off, a full runway inspection is conducted to make sure that no birds or animals are in the airport’s perimeters.They also use what they call ‘a gas canon’ – which makes a scaring sound – to chase the birds away.He said that they have also sought the expertise of a well-known local environmentalist, to look at how best they can address the problem.Namibia Airport Company’s Manager for the Hosea Kutako International Airport, Anton Theart, said they have a wildlife hazard committee, aimed at making the airport a safer place for aircraft.He said bird strikes, which occur when an aircraft comes into contact with a bird, do happen from time to time at Hosea Kutako Airport.Theart said that before an aircraft lands or takes off, a full runway inspection is conducted to make sure that no birds or animals are in the airport’s perimeters.They also use what they call ‘a gas canon’ – which makes a scaring sound – to chase the birds away.He said that they have also sought the expertise of a well-known local environmentalist, to look at how best they can address the problem.