India warns of risk to planes as wildlife flourishes at airports

Birds and other animals could present a greater threat to aircraft in India as the coronavirus limits human activity including wildlife management at airports, the country’s aviation regulator warned Monday. Many airports are near wetlands that attract large migratory birds, which pose a collision threat to aircraft. Meanwhile, a sharp reduction in aviation activity has given birds and other wildlife a greater opportunity to thrive, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a notice to airport operators. “Many regular activities such as grass cutting, bird activity monitoring patrols, and dispersal measures may be limited given the current situation of reduced manpower and lower aircraft movements,” the DGCA said. To minimize the risk of collisions, airport operators should continue to monitor wildlife and not ease control measures, it said. “Particular attention should be given to increase of bird/wildlife activities as a result of reduced air traffic.”<br/>