Delhi airport tops in bird hits despite active safety measures

Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi recorded 705 bird‑strike incidents between 2018 and 2023, the highest among India’s major airports and exceeding the combined total at 29 airports in six states—Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Data indicates a sharp rise from around 62–94 incidents annually between 2020 and 2021 to 183 in 2022, with high figures continuing through October 2023.

A public interest litigation filed by wildlife activist Gauri Maulekhi attributes the surge to the presence of slaughterhouses, meat shops, dairy farms, and environmental pollution within a 10‑kilometre radius of the airport—factors that violate both Aircraft Rules, 1937 and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024.

On March 19, 2025, the Delhi High Court issued notices to multiple authorities—including the Centre, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Delhi government, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority, and Delhi Police—seeking detailed responses by mid‑May and outlining what preventive steps have been taken.

News platforms also report that Delhi consistently leads the country in bird strikes, with Delhi accounting for roughly 41% of such incidents reported at India’s busiest airports during 2018–2023. In contrast, Mumbai and Bengaluru combined accounted for fewer cases.

The aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has responded with guidelines emphasizing wildlife hazard management, including routine risk assessments, habitat management, random‑pattern patrolling, pilot notifications of wildlife activity, and mandatory monthly reporting of bird‑strike incidents.

Delhi airport also implements multiple bird deterrent measures—such as deploying bird chasers, zone guns, reflective devices, grass trimming, pesticide spraying, and scare‑crow systems—to control bird presence near runways.

Bird hits are considered a major aviation hazard because they can damage aircraft engines, windshields, and critical control surfaces, especially during takeoff and landing.

Such collisions can lead to aborted takeoffs, emergency landings, and, in severe cases, accidents. Aircraft engines are particularly vulnerable; ingestion of birds can cause engine failure mid-air.