Delhi High Court Issues Notice On Bird Strike Prevention At IGI Airport

In a significant development concerning aviation safety, the Delhi High Court has issued notices to several authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Delhi government, and other relevant agencies.

This comes in response to a public interest petition calling for the closure of slaughterhouses located within a 10-kilometer radius of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to prevent bird strikes.

Background & Court’s Notice

The petition, filed by social activist Gauri Maulekhi, argues that the proximity of slaughterhouses to the airport has been contributing to an increase in bird activity, raising the risk of bird strikes, which could jeopardize flight safety.

The petitioner has demanded the immediate implementation of measures to minimize such incidents, including the introduction of the Bird Avoidance Model (BAM) to mitigate the danger posed by birds in the area.

The Court has directed the DGCA, AAI, FSSAI, and other authorities to submit their responses on the matter by the next hearing scheduled for May 14, 2025.

The Court has also emphasized the need for effective action to address the issue, considering the frequent bird strikes recorded at the airport.

Issues Raised In The Petition

The petition highlights the significant risk of bird strikes due to the presence of slaughterhouses, meat shops, and dairy farms in the vicinity of the airport.

According to the petition, these establishments attract birds and animals, which then pose a danger to aircraft during takeoff and landing.

Between 2018 and 2023, there were 705 reported bird strike incidents at IGI Airport.

This number surpasses the bird strike incidents recorded across 29 airports in six other states.

Maulekhi has raised concerns about authorities delaying the implementation of BAM, which aims to prevent bird strikes by managing bird activity around airports more effectively.

Despite several requests for action, she claims that authorities have failed to address the issue, leading her to approach the court for redress.

Court’s Observations & Future Proceedings

In response to the petition, the Court has questioned the relevant authorities about the steps they have taken to implement the necessary regulations to prevent bird strikes.

The Court’s decision to issue notices signals its intent to ensure that authorities take appropriate and immediate action to protect aviation safety.

The petition also highlights that despite the rising number of incidents, authorities have failed to implement significant measures to address the issue effectively.

The Court’s upcoming hearing will provide further clarity on how the authorities plan to address the concerns raised and whether they will take prompt action to close the slaughterhouses and implement BAM.

As the case progresses, the Delhi High Court’s intervention serves as a crucial step toward improving aviation safety around IGI Airport.

The issue of bird strikes remains a significant concern for the aviation industry, and the Court’s attention to this matter is expected to drive the necessary regulatory changes to ensure safer air travel for all.

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