Hyderabad airport records 442 wildlife strikes in three years

Hyderabad: Wildlife strikes involving aircraft at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) have increased over the past three years. Birds, bats, rabbits, and other animals have posed risks to flight operations.

A report in the Times of India quoted RTI data obtained from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which mentioned that a total of 442 such incidents were reported at the airport between January 2023 and August 2026.

The number of incidents rose from 101 in 2023 to 114 in 2024 and 133 in 2025. The records include encounters with several bird species, Bengal monitor lizards, bats, rabbits, wild cats and black-naped hares.

Bird strikes affect flights at Hyderabad airport

Wildlife encounters have also affected flight operations. Last month, an IndiGo flight travelling from Pune to Hyderabad was hit by a bird while approaching RGIA.

The aircraft landed safely, but a later inspection found minor damage to its nose section.

In February this year, another IndiGo flight from Jaipur to Hyderabad reportedly experienced a bird strike during landing.

Lapwings, barn swallows account for most strikes

The strike records show that several bird species have been involved in incidents at RGIA.

Red-wattled lapwings accounted for the highest number of identified bird strikes, with eight incidents. Barn swallows were next with six, followed by rock pigeons with five, Indian thick-knees with four and black kites with three.

The list of animals involved is not limited to birds. Different types of bats, including insect-eating and fruit-eating species, along with rabbits and wild cats, were also involved.

The increase in wildlife activity can be attributed to the accumulation of food waste, roadside garbage, landfills and water bodies around the airport.

Wildlife strikes occur during landing, approach

Out of the 442 reported incidents, 276 took place during landing or approach. Another 164 were recorded during take-off or departure.

Some incidents have also affected flight operations. The wildlife activity leads to operational measures such as go-arounds, air turn-backs, precautionary landings, diversions and delays.

In order to reduce the presence of birds and animals, the airport has introduced several measures, such as the installation of a habitat fragmenter, management of vegetation and placement of nylon-net fencing.

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