Stakeholders in the global aviation industry yesterday took stock of the debilitating effects of bird strikes to aircraft engines and operations, estimating the loss at $1.2 billion.

They spoke at an international workshop on aviation hazard management in Africa, organised by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in collaboration with the United States Federal Aviation Administration and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation Ms Anne Ene Ita said the frequency of bird strikes in West Africa was worrisome.

She said in the global context of air transport, bird strike was not only dominant but also remains a natural and universal phenomenon.

Ms Ita said the phenomenon was not peculiar to West Africa as bird strikes caused annual damage that had been estimated at $400 million within the United States.She said in Nigeria, the menace of bird strike is aided by the presence of bushes and waste within and around the airports.

Her words: “The Federal Government has instituted some measures to address the challenge through the development of a policy on bird/wildlife hazard management at the airports.

“The policy thrust recognises the hazards posed by birds/wildlife to airport operations and puts in place measures to alleviate these hazards whenever they are detected.”

Ms Ita said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has signed an agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) with a view to procuring specialised bird control hazards equipment.

NCAA Director-General Dr Harold Demuren said: “The menace of bird strike is real. It is befitting to dedicate a discussion, such as this to efforts in minimising both the occurrence and associated damage.

“Bird strike poses serious danger to flight safety which can result in accident with loss of life and property.