Pune Airport has recorded 145 bird-hit incidents since 2020, placing it among India’s top ten in such cases.
Officials say stagnant water and improper waste disposal around the airport are key reasons for attracting birds.
Safety measures like fencing, bird netting, and public advisories are being implemented to prevent further incidents.
Pune, 5th August 2025: Pune Airport has reported 145 bird-hit incidents since 2020, according to data from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. The figures, presented in the Rajya Sabha, put Pune among the top ten airports in India for bird strikes, out of nearly 2,800 cases nationwide during the same period.
The number of such incidents at Pune Airport has risen steadily in recent years. There were 17 bird strikes in 2020 and 9 in 2021. However, the figure jumped to 30 in 2022, followed by 39 each in 2023 and 2024.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol shared the data amid growing concerns over wildlife hazards near airport premises. One of the major causes is stagnant water in surrounding areas, which encourages mosquito breeding and attracts birds. The presence of animal carcasses and improper garbage disposal also contributes to the problem.
Civic agencies, including the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), have been urged to act swiftly in removing dead animals near the airport to prevent predatory birds from gathering. Residents living nearby have also been asked to avoid dumping kitchen waste in the open, feeding or rearing pigeons, or engaging in open-air animal slaughter, practices that draw birds close to flight paths.
To address the issue, airport authorities have proposed several wildlife control strategies. These include improved fencing, installing bird netting, using window screens, and modifying habitats to discourage birds and animals from approaching sensitive areas like runways and taxiways.
Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke said that passenger and aircraft safety remains the top priority and that all safety protocols are being strictly followed.