The presence of wildlife in the vicinity of anairfield is a threat to aircraft operations worldwide. Every year numerous collisions occur between aircraft and wildlife that cause damage to aircraft. Although most wildlife strikes involve birds, those involving other animals can also have a severe outcome. Wildlife strikes cost the global civil aviation industry approximately USD1.2 billion per year at a rate of USD36,000 per strike. This sum is estimated for direct costs that include flight delays, cancellations, repair costs, inspection and maintenance costs, the cost of accommodating passengers who have to be booked on other scheduled flights, aircraft write-offs, and many more. Even though the economic cost is high, the cost of human lives lost when an aircraft crashes because of wildlife strikes demonstrates the necessity for wildlife management at airports.
To discuss wildlife strike hazards and the various measures taken by airport operators and States in the Asia/Pacific Region, the Sixth Meeting of the Asia/Pacific Wildlife Hazard Management Working Group (AP-WHM-WG/6) was held on 14 – 17 May 2024 at the ICAO APAC Regional Office, Bangkok, Thailand. The Meeting was attended by 61 participants from 12 States (Australia, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand) 4 International organizations (AAPA, IFALPA, WBA and ICAO) and 2 industry partners, AVEM Insight and Scarecrow Group.
The AP-WHM/WG/6 considered a number of interesting papers and presentations that included Innovative Techniques for Mitigating Wildlife Hazards at Airports, Enhancing Aviation Safety and Efficiency: Recommendations for a more Risk Based Approach with Bird Strikes and Runway Closures; as well as Hazards, Threats, Risks and Controls – a Different Perspective for the Future, and other related topics.
The AP-WHM/WG/6 Meeting reviewed the ICAO Asia-Pacific Wildlife Hazard Management Go-Team Mission Programme Document to assist States and airport operators in wildlife hazard management area. Participants also visited the airside of Suvarnabhumi International Airport and its surrounding areas to observe wildlife hazards control measures taken by Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The Scarecrow Group showcased the products they use at airports to deter the wildlife/birds that could potentially pose threats to the flight safety.
