Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) recorded 102 bird strike incidents involving its aircraft in 2024, according to the airline’s official report. The Airbus A320 fleet was the most affected, accounting for 85 of these cases.
Lahore airport saw the highest number of bird strikes with 28 incidents, followed by Islamabad with 18 and Karachi with 17. Multan reported 14 cases, while Faisalabad recorded 6. In total, nine PIA aircraft sustained direct damage from bird strikes last year, resulting in significant repair costs for the airline.
The issue has persisted into 2025, with 25 bird strike incidents reported in the first five months. These included 14 cases involving A320s and 10 involving Boeing 777s. Lahore, Multan, and Karachi reported the most cases so far this year.
PIA estimates that bird strike-related repairs cost the airline thousands of dollars annually. The airline has issued a public advisory ahead of Eidul Adha, urging citizens to dispose of animal waste at designated sites and avoid dumping remains near airports. PIA warned that improper disposal of offal near airports increases the risk of bird strikes, which can lead to serious aviation accidents.
The airline emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness around airports and called on the public to act responsibly, especially during Eid celebrations, to help prevent potential tragedies.
Very sad