The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Captain Hamisu Yadudu wants all hands on deck to reducing the incidences of bird strikes and wildlife hazards in the industry.
In his address of welcome at a symposium on Reduction on wildlife Strike hazards at Nigerian Airports emphasized that the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO reports indicated that wildlife occurances were responsible for 3.6% incidence globally.
He however noted that this is way higher because many of these incidences were either unnoticed or unrepor
Quoting Ms. Angela Gittens, Director General, Airport Council International, ACI, Captain Yadudu said, “Wildlife strike affect airports small and large, in all regions of the world. It is both a risk to aviation safety and a financial burden. “
He observed that reduction in wildlife incidence would greatly help to enhance flight safety if all stakeholders including airlines, Airport Operators, ground handling companies, regulatory Agency among others work together in mitigating these menace.
In recognization of the threats to safety due to the wildlife hazards and the roles stakeholders play, Captain Yadudu explained that the ACI convened a symposium on Reduction of wildlife strike hazards which held at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada in 2017.
He stressed that the event had assisted to foster an increased awareness of the wildlife threat to aircraft’s Operational safety and an international exchange of experiences, best practices, cooperation efforts.
“Technology and ideas to better mitigate wildlife strike hazard on and in the vicinity of airports.
The FAAN boss urged all stakeholders to contribute their quota to managing the risks associated with wildlife strikes.
” It is our fervent hope that here at the end of today, everyone that has a role to play, the regulator, Airport Operators, air traffic service providers, airline Operators, pilots, wildlife managers and Airport neighbors would have gained valuable information on how our actions, practices and procedures can contribute to managing the risks associated with wildlife strikes.”
