Pakistan sees surge in bird strikes, reports 270 incidents in 9 months

With a dramatic increase in bird attacks impacting both domestic and private planes, 2025 has proven to be a challenging year for Pakistan’s aviation industry.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) reported 90 bird attack events between January and September 2025, up from 83 cases during the same period last year, according to official data.

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Remarkably, September saw 26 bird strikes, one of the highest monthly totals in recent memory.

According to PIA data, airports in Lahore and Islamabad have experienced the most bird attack events this year, with 16 incidents in Lahore, 15 in Islamabad, and nine in Karachi.

Eight airplanes were damaged in total, while 82 other incidents were deemed minor. Most strikes occurred during landing, with 21 during landing and 14 during approach.

The Airbus A320 fleet has been the most affected, with 68 bird strikes reported in 2025 alone.

The growing frequency of bird strikes has also disrupted the schedules of several private carriers, many of which faced flight delays and technical inspections following such incidents.

Sources say that private airlines have reported nearly twice as many bird strikes as PIA, with a total of around 180 incidents so far this year.

Airline officials attribute the spike to poor waste management and ineffective bird control systems around airports.

In response, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said it is taking measures “in line with international safety standards” to reduce bird hazards.

“Bird strikes are a global aviation challenge,” said a PAA spokesperson, adding that the problem is closely linked to urban expansion, changing weather patterns, and environmental factors.

The authority said it is working closely with airlines and other agencies to improve waste management systems and enhance bird control operations near airports.

With over 270 bird strike incidents reported across the country in just nine months, experts warn that Pakistan’s airports urgently need a comprehensive and sustainable bird control strategy to prevent potential disasters.