Pune: IAF Forms Dedicated Task Force to Tackle Bird Threat at Pune International Airport
Pune News, June 11, 2025: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has intervened to address the escalating bird menace at Pune International Airport, forming a specialized five-member task force to implement preventive measures. This action follows multiple incidents, including a three-hour flight delay due to birds on the runway and a diverted Delhi flight after bird interference made landing unsafe.
High-Tech and Traditional Measures Deployed
The newly-formed task force is employing high-decibel zone guns to scare birds away from the airport vicinity. These devices emit loud sounds to deter birds, minimizing their presence near the runway. Additionally, authorities are regularly trimming grass around the airfield to eliminate potential nesting spots. Routine patrols are conducted every morning and evening to monitor bird activity and ensure flight safety.
In critical situations, firecrackers are used near the runway to disperse bird flocks, ensuring a clear path for incoming and outgoing aircraft.
Shared Airport-IAF Base Complicates Safety Efforts
Pune Airport operates alongside an active IAF base, where military exercises are routine. The surge in civil aviation traffic has further complicated air safety management. Despite IAF officials urging local authorities to improve cleanliness in surrounding areas, no concrete action has been taken yet. Improper waste disposal by nearby residents has exacerbated the problem, attracting more birds and increasing risks to air traffic.
Authorities Call for Accountability
Airport officials emphasized that while flight safety measures are in place, waste management negligence in nearby localities remains unresolved. They stressed the need for municipal authorities to take responsibility. A proposed ‘gasifier’ waste treatment plant to address the issue has yet to be implemented.
With flight disruptions rising, the IAF’s proactive measures aim to mitigate risks, but long-term solutions depend on better waste management and stricter enforcement by local authorities.
