No major bird strike accidents in Philippines so far — CAAP
MANILA, Philippines — While aircraft in the Philippines have collided with birds, these haven't led to major accidents because local birds are typically smaller in size, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said Monday, December 30.
The spokesperson of CAAP said, however, that bird strikes remain a serious risk due to climate change, and that authorities are already "addressing" the proximity of migratory bird sites to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country's main gateway.
"We have had several [bird strike incidents.] We're fortunate that we haven't experienced any major accidents because our local birds are relatively small, except for migratory birds," CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said in Filipino in a radio interview.
CAAP's remarks come amid global attention on aviation safety after a Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea that killed 179 people on Sunday, December 29.
The Boeing 737-800 from Thailand crashed upon landing at South Korea's Muan International Airport, bursting into flames after hitting a barrier. Only two crew members survived what officials called South Korea's worst aviation disaster.
Authorities said a bird strike was the likely cause of the crash. But experts are already questioning this and pointing out other factors that may have led to the crash, including the absence of landing gear and the presence of a brick wall at the end of the runway.
Bird strikes occur when aircraft collide with birds during flight or takeoff and landing. These incidents pose serious risks to aviation safety as birds can damage critical aircraft components, particularly jet engines.
When birds are ingested into an engine, they can cause mechanical failures, loss of power or complete engine failure, especially if multiple birds are involved.
Prior to the incident, Apolonio said CAAP had already recognized the need to address the risk of bird strikes in aviation safety.
"That's already climate change. That's why CAAP is addressing this. We just had a seminar on bird strikes two weeks ago... on how to mitigate the increased presence of birds in our airports," he added.
Bird strikes are dangerous particularly during takeoff and landing as pilots "have no control" over this, the CAAP official added.
While the Philippines has not seen any major aviation disaster caused by bird collisions, CAAP is already "addressing" the proximity of NAIA to nearby bird sanctuaries, Apolonio said.
"Subject to negotiations 'yan (That's subject to negotiations)," he said without elaborating.
The CAAP official said air travel is still the safest mode of transportation in the Philippines, where the chance of an air accident is a low one in 11 million. This is compared to land travel accidents which occur at a rate of one in 107, he said.
To maintain safety standards, CAAP requires regular maintenance checks for aircraft operators, Apolonio said.
The agency also enforces strict runway compatibility requirements for different aircraft types, he added.
For years, environmental groups have opposed a multi-billion Bulacan airport project in a key bird habitat in Manila Bay. The New Manila International Airport — a project by San Miguel Corporation — is set to be built in an area that lies directly in the flight path of thousands of migratory waterbirds.
The planned airport is one of several reclamation projects in Manila Bay that conservationists say could severely impact bird migration patterns and potentially increase the risk of bird strikes in the area.
Manila Bay is a crucial stopover for migratory birds traveling along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, one of the world's major bird migration routes. — Cristina Chi
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