Bird strikes cost Fiji Airways $19.2m, says Minister Gavoka

Bird strikes grounded four Fiji Airways Boeing 737 aircraft last year, costing the national carrier an estimated $19.2 million.

This was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka in Parliament today.

Mr Gavoka said a single turbine blade damage incident in January this year alone cost $4.8 million, highlighting the severe financial burden wildlife hazards place on airline operations.

His statement came after a recent incident involving Fiji Airways Flight FJ450, a Boeing 737-800, which encountered a flock of pigeons during takeoff from Christchurch on October 9.

The aircraft sustained damage to its nose, fuselage, wings and engines, with six dead pigeons recovered from the runway.

The flight crew declared an emergency and safely returned to Christchurch Airport with no injuries to passengers or crew.

Mr Gavoka said bird strikes posed significant risks to flight safety, aircraft integrity and operational efficiency.

He cited the tragic example of Jeju Air Flight 2216 in December 2024, which suffered dual engine failure after a bird strike during takeoff in South Korea, resulting in 179 fatalities.

“These incidents range in severity from minor damage to catastrophic accidents,” Mr Gavoka said.

He explained that birds were attracted to airports primarily due to food, water and shelter, including open drains, waste disposal sites, rubbish dumps and fruit trees near airport boundaries.

To address the issue, Cabinet endorsed the establishment of the National Wildlife Hazard Management Committee for Aviation on August 14, with Fiji Airports developing a comprehensive Wildlife Management Plan.

The committee facilitates cross-sector collaboration between government agencies, aviation authorities, environmental bodies and local communities to reduce bird strike risks.

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