Lohegaon Airport News
The Lohegaon Airport in Pune, an important military airport, is facing growing concerns over the risk of bird hits. Large amounts of waste around the airport are attracting birds to the area, increasing the chances of birds coming into contact with aircraft during take-off and landing.
According to information shared during an informal visit organised by the Indian Air Force, around 20 types of birds have been spotted in and around the airport area. These include kites, falcons, pigeons and parrots.
The growing presence of birds has become a concern for airport and Air Force personnel because a bird strike can create serious problems for an aircraft, particularly when it happens close to the runway.
One of the main reasons behind the increase in bird activity is the accumulation of garbage around the airport. When waste is not collected regularly, it can become a source of food for birds.
Officials have also pointed to waterlogged areas and insects, especially after the monsoon, as factors that attract more birds. Open spaces around the runway and outside the airport boundary can provide birds with easy access to food and water.
As a result, bird activity has increased around areas used by aircraft.
Lohegaon Airport is also seeing increased civil aviation activity. According to the information shared by Air Force personnel, the number of civil flights has reached around 240 per day, while the monthly figure is around 1,700 flights.
With a large number of aircraft taking off and landing, the risk of a bird strike becomes an important safety issue.
Even a single bird entering the path of an aircraft during take-off or landing can potentially cause serious damage. This is why the Air Force is taking preventive measures to reduce bird activity around the airport.
The increasing bird population has also added to the responsibilities of Air Force personnel. Officials said that a considerable amount of their time is spent on bird watching and monitoring activities.
The purpose of this monitoring is to identify areas where birds gather and take steps to reduce the possibility of bird strikes.
Preventive measures are important because Lohegaon is not only used for civil flights but is also an important military airport. Maintaining a safe environment around the runway is therefore a major priority.
Apart from bird strikes, the airport is also facing another safety concern related to unauthorised drone flights.
The increasing urbanisation around the airport has brought more residential and commercial activity close to the airfield. Some members of the public are reportedly flying drones without permission in areas surrounding the airport.
Unauthorised drones can create serious risks for aircraft operations and military security. The Air Force therefore has to monitor both bird activity and possible drone activity around the airport.
The situation highlights the importance of proper waste management around Lohegaon Airport. Regular removal of garbage could help reduce the availability of food for birds and may lower their presence around the airport.
Controlling waterlogged areas and reducing insect breeding can also help limit conditions that attract birds.
With civil flight activity increasing and the airport continuing to serve an important military role, reducing bird and drone-related risks is becoming increasingly important.
Authorities and local agencies will need to work together to address waste accumulation, waterlogging and unauthorised drone activity. Better control of these issues can help improve safety for aircraft operations at Lohegaon Airport and reduce the growing risk of bird hits.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
