Egypt implements new plan to address bird hazards at Hurghada Airport

Egypt's Civil Aviation Authority and the Egyptian Airports Company are set to introduce measures to tackle bird hazards at Hurghada International Airport. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster safety and streamline air traffic operations at the airport. The planned work is aimed at mitigating the risks posed by birds and wildlife within and around the airport, given their pivotal role in aviation safety.

The plan involves deploying specialized equipment for bird control, including handheld lasers, devices that emit distress and deterrent sounds, and vehicle amplifiers to disperse birds and keep them away from operational areas. The significance of these measures for Hurghada International Airport is underscored by the burgeoning air traffic and tourism in the Red Sea Governorate, necessitating the ongoing enhancement of safety systems and the management of potential risks to air traffic and airport operations.

Monitoring areas around runways and taxiways for bird and animal populations is a crucial aspect of the controllable work, which must adhere to safety requirements and airport regulations. Several reports by Al-Masry Al-Youm have highlighted the dangers posed by congregations of predatory birds near Hurghada International Airport.

These congregations are attributed to the proliferation of food waste collection sites from hotels and tourist facilities, attracting large numbers of birds to the airport perimeter. Additionally, several airlines have expressed concerns over the damage caused by birds around Hurghada Airport and the potential risks to aircraft safety and air traffic, particularly during takeoff and landing.