This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On July 18, 2019, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) expressed concern over the potential for bird strikes at Kisumu International Airport following the relocation of the county dumpsite to a flight path.
The new dumpsite is located within a 13km radius of the airport, posing a significant risk to aircraft safety. According to KAA's operations and safety general manager, Harrison Machio, the dumpsite's proximity to the airport increases the likelihood of bird strikes.
Bird strikes have become a recurring issue in Kenya, with several incidents reported at major airports, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa. In recent years, airlines have reported increased cases of bird strikes, resulting in emergency landings and significant repair costs.
One such incident occurred when a Kenya Airways flight to Mombasa was hit by a bird just minutes after departure, forcing it to make an emergency landing at JKIA. The incident resulted in significant delays and expenses for the airline.
While there is no technology to prevent bird strikes entirely, airports can employ various scaring techniques to deter birds from flight paths. These include the use of pyrotechnic sound makers, ultrasonic wave generators, cannons, trained animals, and chemical repellents.
Despite these efforts, the KAA is under scrutiny for its lack of scaring kits at major airports, which has contributed to the rise in bird strikes. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has held talks with the KAA to install bird-scaring kits along flight paths, but to no avail.
As a result, the KAA is urging the government to take immediate action to address the issue of bird strikes and ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers.
