Bengaluru airport reports highest bird strikes in South India since 2020

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has recorded the highest number of bird strikes among airports in South India, with 343 incidents reported over the past five-and-a-half years. On a national scale, Bengaluru ranks third, following Delhi and Mumbai, which recorded 695 and 405 bird strikes respectively during the same period.

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Bird strikes—collisions between birds and aircraft—typically occur during take-off and landing, often resulting in damage to engines and windshields. These incidents are a serious aviation safety concern. Nationwide, approximately 2,800 such incidents have been reported from 2020 to June 2025, with a notable decline during the pandemic years and a sharp rise as air traffic resumed.

Bengaluru has averaged 85 bird strikes annually in the last three years. Other major airports in the southern region reported fewer incidents: Hyderabad (191), Chennai (188), and Thiruvananthapuram (109). Despite the high frequency, no major accidents due to bird strikes have been reported in Bengaluru.

Experts attribute the rise in incidents to increased flight operations and expanding commercial activity around the airport. With 41.88 million passengers handled in 2024–25, KIA is now India’s third-busiest airport, offering connections to 76 domestic and 34 international destinations.

In response, the airport has implemented a comprehensive Wildlife Hazard Management Plan. This includes real-time monitoring, bird deterrents, rodent control, habitat management, and waste reduction initiatives to minimize the risk of bird-aircraft collisions.