THE Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry is in discussion with Fiji Airports Limited, Fiji Airways and the Civil Aviation Authority to manage bird strikes around Nadi International Airport, says Minister Viliame Gavoka.
The establishment of the National Wildlife Hazard Management committee was one of the many decisions made in the Cabinet’s 11th meeting on July 22.
According to the Government, the committee would be responsible for raising awareness and evaluating a 13-kilometre radius around the aerodrome reference point for wildlife hazard management.
The committee shall be chaired by the civil aviation authority as the regulator.
A key threat to aviation safety is wildlife hazards, particularly bird strikes, which occur when aircraft collide with animals during take-off, landing, or at lower altitudes.
It’s understood that Fiji Airports reported a significant increase in bird strikes at the Nadi International Airport from 24 in 2022 to 33 in 2023, and 41 in 2024.
Mr Gavoka said bird strikes could be quite serious, having contributed to aviation disasters around the world
“There are contributing factors.
“You need to be careful of your plantations — sometimes fruits can be a habitat for birds.
“So, it’s a challenge, we’re managing it but it’s something that we must prepare for — hence the Cabinet approval of the body that will monitor this.”
Mr Gavoka said there was a need to educate people about why birds congregate in certain areas.
He said bats normally fly in groups near Wailoaloa Beach in the morning, towards the Sabeto side over to Denarau.
“There’s something that attracts them there. So, we’re trying to look at ways of reversing that.
“Why are they going this way, find a way to get them to go back the other way.
“So, I mean, those are challenges and it’s quite interesting when you look at the habits of these birds.”
