Bird-hit incidents at Hyderabad airport lower than in major Indian cities

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has recorded fewer bird-hit incidents compared to other major airports in India over the past five years, data presented in the Rajya Sabha has revealed.

Responding to a question on Monday, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated that Hyderabad reported a total of 207 bird strikes between 2020 and June 2025. The annual figures stood at 33 in 2020, 29 in 2021, 38 in 2022, 48 in 2023, 43 in 2024, and 16 in the first half of 2025.

In contrast, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport reported the highest number, with a total of 695 bird strikes in the same period, 62 in 2020 rising sharply to 183 in 2022, 185 in 2023, 130 in 2024, and 41 in the first half of 2025.

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport recorded 407 bird hits, including 43 in 2020, 59 in 2021, 90 in 2022, 88 in 2023, 86 in 2024 and 41 in 2025 (until June). Bangalore saw a total of 343 bird hits, including 29 in 2020, 22 in 2021, 84 in 2022, 85 in 2023, 88 in 2024 and 35 in 2025 (until June). 

Ahmedabad reported 337 incidents over the six years, including a high of 86 in 2023. Meanwhile, Kolkata and Chennai both logged 193 bird-hit cases each, while Pune saw 145, Bhubaneswar 150 and Trivandrum 125.

Addressing concerns over aviation safety, the ministry said all airports are mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to implement a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan. This includes measures such as habitat modification, rodent and insect control, and the use of bird detection and dispersal systems using both biological and chemical methods.