Home / Disasters and Accidents / Bird Hits Soar Near Delhi Airport Due to Poor Civic Management
Bird Hits Soar Near Delhi Airport Due to Poor Civic Management
9 Oct
Summary
- Bird hits outside IGIA reached 90 in 2024 and 460 in 2025.
- Poor external civic conditions, like waste and meat vending, are blamed.
- Unsanitary external areas pose significant flight safety risks.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi is experiencing a concerning rise in bird-hit incidents, primarily attributed to deteriorating civic conditions in areas surrounding the airport. Official figures reveal a sharp increase in bird strikes affecting aircraft during takeoff and landing, with 90 recorded in 2024 and a substantial 460 in 2025. As of September 2026, 209 such incidents have already been reported. Bird strikes within the airport premises have also seen an increase, from 89 in 2024 to 117 in 2025, and 63 so far in 2026.
The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) manages environmental conditions within IGIA but external factors fall under the purview of multiple civic bodies. A meeting of the Airfield Environment Management Committee highlighted issues such as improper waste disposal and unauthorized meat vending along aircraft approach paths. These external problems contribute to the presence of wildlife like peafowl, monkeys, and dogs, creating a safety hazard for passengers and potentially damaging aircraft.
Further concerns raised include sewage accumulation, illegal chicken markets, and widespread garbage dumping in localities adjacent to the airport, such as Rangpuri Pahadi, RK Puram, Dwarka, and Vasant Kunj. These ongoing issues underscore the urgent need for inter-agency cooperation to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of air travel at IGIA.
