Bird strike risks near Clark International Airport
The tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 earlier this year has renewed global focus on a critical but often overlooked aspect of aviation safety: bird strikes. This devastating incident occurred during the plane’s second attempt to land at Muan International Airport in South Korea. Midway through its descent, the aircraft struck a flock of birds. The impact caused both engines to fail and stopped the landing gear from deploying properly. The result was catastrophic—179 people lost their lives in what should have been a routine landing.
Investigators later found feathers and traces of blood on the wreckage, specifically from Baikal teals, a species of migratory duck common in East Asia. These findings made it clear that the aircraft had collided with wildlife—turning a normal flight into a deadly tragedy. It was a powerful reminder of how something as seemingly harmless as a bird can bring down a large commercial jet when conditions align.
This incident should serve as a serious warning, especially for airports with nearby bird-attracting sites. In the Philippines, Clark International Airport is facing a potential risk of the same nature. Flight tracking data shows that some aircraft approaching Clark often pass over or near a waste disposal facility. These facilities are known to attract large numbers of birds, especially scavengers like kites, crows, and other species that feed on garbage. These birds can linger around the area, increasing the chances of a bird strike during takeoff or landing.
While there’s no confirmed data yet directly linking this facility to specific bird strike incidents at Clark, the concern remains valid. The lack of detailed information itself reveals a critical gap. Without proper tracking and analysis, aviation authorities cannot fully understand or address the risks. This is where immediate action is needed.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has acknowledged the importance of wildlife hazard management. But acknowledgment must now turn into concrete steps. First, there must be a thorough environmental assessment around Clark Airport and other key aviation hubs. This should involve mapping existing flight paths and overlaying them with locations of waste facilities, wetlands, or other potential bird attractants.
Second, authorities should implement real-time bird monitoring, especially during migration seasons when large flocks of birds travel across regions. Technologies such as avian radar systems or mobile tracking tools can offer valuable data to help air traffic controllers and pilots avoid known hotspots.
Third, strong cooperation between airport authorities, local government units (LGUs), and environmental agencies is essential. Waste facilities near airports should be required to follow strict protocols to reduce bird presence. This includes covering waste, limiting open-air dumping, installing netting or scare devices, and even modifying the landscape to make it less attractive to birds.
Ultimately, what’s needed is a national strategy for managing bird strike risks—not just at Clark, but across all Philippine airports. This should be science-based, data-driven, and regularly updated. Aviation is a vital part of the country’s economy, connecting people and goods across islands and continents. Any disruption, especially one involving a fatal crash, would have deep social and economic consequences.
The crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 was not a freak accident. It was a foreseeable risk that could have been prevented with better planning and oversight. The Philippines must learn from this tragedy. Proactive risk management, investment in monitoring technology, and strong regulatory enforcement are the best ways forward.
By acting now—before another disaster strikes—authorities can protect lives, ensure safe skies, and uphold the public’s trust in air travel. Bird strikes may not make headlines every day, but as the Jeju Air crash showed, ignoring them can cost more than we can afford.