Karachi – Two commercial aircraft narrowly avoided potentially disastrous accidents at Jinnah International Airport on Friday, after separate bird strike incidents occurred in quick succession during landing operations.
According to sources within the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the first incident involved a private airline flight arriving from Lahore with more than 150 passengers onboard. The aircraft was on its final approach to the runway when it struck a bird. The pilot promptly alerted Karachi Air Traffic Control (ATC), and despite the sudden scare, managed a safe landing. No injuries were reported.
Just moments earlier, a similar bird strike had occurred involving a foreign airline flight, also during its descent into Karachi. Thankfully, in both cases, the pilots remained in control and followed standard emergency procedures, avoiding what could have turned into a serious mishap.
Aviation officials believe recent monsoon rains have contributed to a spike in insect populations around the airport, which in turn has attracted large numbers of birds—especially near flight paths. This seasonal rise in bird activity significantly heightens the risk of bird strikes, a known hazard in aviation that can lead to engine damage or even catastrophic failure if not managed promptly.
In response to the growing threat, the Director General of the Pakistan Airports Authority has issued urgent directives to step up wildlife hazard control measures. These include intensified fumigation efforts to control insect breeding grounds and the deployment of additional trained bird shooters around the airport perimeter to deter avian activity.
Airport authorities have also appealed to nearby residents and businesses to avoid open garbage disposal and other practices that attract birds to the area.
The CAA has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of all flight operations and stated that further preventive measures are under review.
As Karachi’s skies grow busier with domestic and international traffic, Friday’s back-to-back bird strike incidents serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable risks aviation professionals navigate daily—and the importance of swift response and stringent safety protocols.
