Birdstrikes
Operations Director Mark Beattie, explains how the airport works to meet international legislation aimed at reducing the risk of birdstrikes and keeping passengers safe.
Click here to see his interview
What must the airport do to meet the legislation?
It is the airport's legal responsibility to make sure that airspace in which planes land or take off from our airport is safe.
Legislation from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) ensures that we must take action to decrease the number of birds which could be a hazard to aircraft operations.
How does the airport decrease the number of birds?
There is no single solution that works for all situations. The airport uses various methods to deter birds from flying on and in the lower flight paths around the airfield, including:
The airport works closely with local planners to ensure that any new projects do not include landscaping or water features that may attract birds and increase the risk of a birdstrike to aircraft using the airport.
- Management of airfield habitat
Birds are attracted to habitats in which they can look for food, rest and breed so we remove plants they eat like berries and fruit.
Another example is the long grass policy. Short grass attracts birds because it provides them with a 'safe' feeding area with good all round views. If the grass is grown to 150mm or 200mm they do not have the same views so it reduces the likelihood of them coming to look for food there.
- Management of habitat around airfield
The airport works closely with local land owners to reduce the birdstrike risk. One example is the habitat management programme in place in Victoria Park.
The park's landowners, Belfast City Council, work closely with the airport and other stakeholders, to modify its habitat so it is less attractive to greylag geese.
These geese pose a grater danger to aircraft because of their size and their tendency to flock.
The lake areas of Victoria Park are an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and any changes made to its habitat are made after consultation with and approval from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
In the interest of air safety, the airport was granted a licence from the NIEA to prick greylag geese eggs.
This measure is aimed at controlling the number of greylag geese and is carried out by a biologist when the eggs are 3 to 5 days old and when only yolk is present within the egg. This is widely regarded as the most humane method of controlling the population while not disturbing the birds.
The airport has not applied for a licence to cull greylag geese or any other birds.
Other measures include the erection of low level wire fencing around the two islands in Victoria Park to stop the birds gaining access to breeding areas, planting appropriate shrubs to prevent easy access to the water and the promotion of an awareness campaign about feeding the geese.
The Bird Control Unit (BCU) is responsible for maintaining surveillance of bird activity on the airfield and beyond. The BCU is active 30 minutes before the first flight until the last flight of the day.
All bird activity is recorded on a handheld computer so trends can be identified. The BCU provides details of any potential birdstrike risks and passes these onto aircrew.