Bird strikes cost Fiji Airways $19.2 Million, Gavoka tells Parliament

Bird strikes are placing a considerable financial burden on Fiji Airways and the nation’s aviation sector.

This was highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka who says that Fiji Airways airline had grounded four Boeing 737 aircrafts last year, where the total cost was estimated at $19.2 million.

Gavoka also revealed that the single turbine blade damage incident in January this year had incurred an additional $4.8 million, highlighting the tangible impact of bird strikes on airline operations, maintenance budgets, and passenger services.

Gavoka says birds are attracted to airport environments primarily because of the availability of food, water, and shelter.

He says to address the issue of bird strike, regular monitoring of bird activity helps identify high-risk species and periods, enabling timely communication between airlines and airport authorities to alert pilots.

He also said that training for pilots and ground staff on recognising and responding to wildlife risks is also essential, alongside the adoption of modern technology such as bird detection radars and wildlife deterrent devices, which will improve real-time hazard management and safety.