Bird-hit incidents at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna have increased in recent years, with nine cases involving aircraft recorded in 2025. Open waste, waterlogging and meat and fish shops around the airport are being identified as major factors attracting birds. Several measures are being implemented to control the situation.
Bird-hit incidents have emerged as a recurring aviation-safety issue at Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport. Nine cases of birds colliding with aircraft were reported at the airport in 2025.
Data on bird-hit incidents at Patna airport show a change in the number of reported cases over the past few years. Two cases were reported in 2021, one in 2022 and one in 2023, while the number increased to nine in 2025.
A collision between a bird and an aircraft is also known as a bird strike. Such incidents are particularly relevant during takeoff and landing, when aircraft are flying at relatively low altitudes.
Environmental conditions around the airport are being linked to bird-hit incidents. The Airport Environment Management Committee (AEMC) has emphasised maintaining cleanliness around the airport and conducting regular monitoring.
Open waste, unclean areas and waterlogging can attract birds. Meat and fish shops also generate waste that serves as a food source for kites and other large birds. Flocks of these birds entering areas around the airport can increase the risk to aircraft operations.
The Airports Authority has deployed Bird Chasers around the runway and operational areas. Their role is to keep birds away from runways and areas used for aircraft operations.
Firecrackers, scare guns and shot launchers are also regularly used to deter birds. These activities are increased during aircraft takeoff and landing to disperse birds from the area.
During the monsoon, wild grass growing around the runway is regularly cut. The objective is to reduce the presence of insects in the grass, as birds may be attracted to the airfield to feed on them.
The issue of restricting meat and fish shops around the airport has been repeatedly raised in AEMC meetings. However, restrictions on the open sale of meat and fish in Phulwarisharif and surrounding areas have not had their full effect.
Waste generated by shops and from open areas attracts kites and other large birds to these locations, maintaining their presence around the airport.
There has also been no concrete progress on the plan to relocate the garbage transfer station in Gardanibagh. The problem of waterlogging around the airfield has also not been fully resolved. These conditions continue to pose a challenge to reducing the risk of bird-hit incidents at Patna airport.
