Most bird strikes take place in the vicinity of airports, so most key issues concern preventive actions that should be taken by airport operators. However, AAPA recognises that it is a collaborative effort of various stakeholders to mitigate the potential risks associated with bird strikes. The AAPA actively works with its member airlines through the regular information exchange to identify airports with high rates of bird strike incidents.

The AAPA has formed a Bird Survey Team comprising representatives from selected member airlines and the Secretariat. The team has been tasked to carry out surveys at identified airports and assess their wildlife hazard management programme. The objective of the survey is not to conduct an audit, but rather as an opportunity to promote communication, develop a dialogue and the sharing of best practices with the airport management.

The team has completed two surveys at Soekarno Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2003 and 2005 respectively with the coordination of PT Angkasa Pura II – the operator of CGK. Working in collaboration with the operator of CGK has yielded positive results, which is evident by the reduction of bird strike incidents as a result of the team’s intervention.

Following the success of the CGK project, the AAPA is currently engaging Ho Chi Minh and Beijing airports respectively as potential sites for future intervention after being identified as two of the airports with high rates of bird strike incidents to better understand the efforts taken in controlling bird hazards.