Bird strikes threaten aircraft safety at Shahjalal Airport

The risk of bird strikes during aircraft take-off and landing is growing alarmingly at airports across Bangladesh particularly at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, raising concerns over a potential aviation disaster.

Despite repeated incidents authorities have failed to implement an effective bird control system, leaving planes and lives at risk.

Aviation experts and insiders said Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has fallen short in maintaining safety protocols with several systems either outdated or completely inoperative.

On May 20, a Turkish Airlines flight narrowly avoided tragedy after a bird strike ignited one of its engines shortly after take-off.

The pilot observing fire midair contacted the control tower and successfully executed an emergency landing—saving the lives of all 290 passengers on board.

Again, on June 27, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight bound for Singapore suffered a bird strike moments after departure.

The aircraft was forced to turn back midair due to engine damage, highlighting the recurring nature of these threats.

Sources at CAAB said the Bird Monitoring System installed spending over Tk one crore at HSIA in 2022 has been lying idle due to lack of maintenance.

One of its five surveillance cameras is broken, and the main system itself has been out of order for months.

It is now set to be shipped to Italy for repairs, but officials admit they currently have no reliable alternative to manage bird activity near the runway.

Besides, laser lights, once used to scare birds at night, are no longer operational.

Gas cannons which produce sound blasts every 10 minutes are used but their effectiveness is limited—especially during the day, said the sources.

Even more concerning, the number of bird shooters and functional weapons is dangerously inadequate.

While CAAB should ideally have at least 20 shooter guns only one is working.

Currently, only three CAAB bird control staff are deployed, while the air force supports with two shooters per shift—who are unavailable during weekly holidays and VIP movements.

Experts said poorly maintained green areas, nearby water bodies attracting fish and insects, and scattered food waste around airport premises are contributing to increased bird activity.

Aviation expert Kazi Wahidul Alam said, “Globally, the bird strike risk is 0.5 per 10,000 flights but in Bangladesh, it's 1.73. That’s alarmingly high.”

ATM Nazrul Islam, another aviation expert, stressed the lack of modern deterrents.

“The sound systems have long been out of order. Other countries use special chemical sprays to eliminate bugs underground which reduces bird presence. We’ve done nothing similar, “he said.

A recent emergency meeting chaired by immediate-past CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan, recommended restoring the monitoring system, purchasing more shooter guns and increasing manpower on the ground.

“Birds will continue to be drawn to areas with food and nesting conditions. Unless we address these root causes and invest in modern technology, we’re risking lives with every flight,” he warned.

As bird strike incidents pile up and equipment remains in disrepair, Bangladesh's aviation safety is standing on shaky ground.