KARACHI: Pakistan’s airports continue to operate without critical bird repellent systems, despite more than 100 bird strike incidents having already been reported since January 2023.

This situation is due to what sources describe as an “unprofessional approach” by aviation authorities, potentially endangering the lives of hundreds of thousands of passengers every day.

Some documents exclusively available to Business Recorder revealed that in April 2023, before the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) was split into three entities, the then CAA Director General had approved a draft urgent project worth Rs 2.118 billion for installation of anti-bird systems.

The project, intended for immediate implementation, was expected to be completed by June 30, 2023. The procurement process; however, she experienced significant setbacks early on. The documents further reveal that the technical evaluation committee’s recommendations highlighted serious deficiencies in the planning phase of the project.

They specifically recommended that appropriate internal feasibility studies and presentations from potential suppliers be conducted to prepare adequate technical and operational specifications, suggesting that the initial tender was issued without the necessary preparatory work.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has highlighted that birds and wildlife near airports pose a serious threat to aircraft safety. While there are various methods to manage this risk, including habitat modification and exclusion techniques, repellent systems are considered essential components of any wildlife risk management plan.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that the tender was floated without conducting proper feasibility studies, leading to technical disqualification of the two participating bidders due to major non-compliance with specifications techniques.

The delay has raised additional concerns due to the volatility of Pakistan’s exchange rates, sources said, adding that the delay could potentially increase the cost of the project beyond its initial allocation of Rs 2.118 billion, resulting in more financial complications for the already delayed project.

While calling for strict action against individuals responsible for their “negligent attitude”, sources have called for the implementation of comprehensive bird control strategies, including preventive and reactive measures to ensure airport security.

However, the officials concerned defended their position by asserting that the project was not initially part of the annual tasks and objectives of the CNS Directorate. The project ADP was created immediately with the approval of the then Director General, CAA, on April 5, 2023.

They claimed that no abnormal delays were involved in the project, citing technical disqualification of bidders as a necessary quality control measure.

When approached, Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) spokesperson said, “The authority has recognized the importance of modern solutions to mitigate the risk of bird strikes and improve safety air at the country’s airports. “High-tech bird control systems require significant financial investment and careful evaluation before implementation.”

The spokesperson also revealed that earlier this year, a trial was conducted by a company that failed to meet technical and operational requirements. However, he informed that another informal trial is planned in January 2025 with a foreign company, which will be conducted voluntarily, without any cost or obligation.

The PAA spokesperson also reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to making only the most appropriate decisions, in accordance with organizational policies and rules of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

On the other hand, the situation continues to cause serious concerns among aviation experts and passengers, as all major airports in the country are operating without these high-tech security systems and the authority is more interested in launching into another free informal trial instead of putting in serious effort. to install these high-tech anti-bird systems in no time to avoid any untoward incident and ensure safe air travel in Pakistan.

Commercial Copyright Recorder, 2024