Hyderabad: Wildlife strikes involving aircraft at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) have increased in recent years, with birds, bats, rabbits and other animals posing potential risks to flight operations.
According to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request and cited in a Times of India report, RGIA recorded 442 wildlife strike incidents between January 2023 and August 2026.
The annual figures indicate a steady rise in reported incidents. The airport recorded 101 cases in 2023, 114 in 2024 and 133 in 2025.
The records include encounters with several bird species as well as animals such as Bengal monitor lizards, bats, rabbits, wild cats and black-naped hares.
Recent bird strikes affect flight operations
Wildlife encounters have also affected aircraft operations at the airport.
Last month, an IndiGo flight travelling from Pune to Hyderabad reportedly suffered a bird strike while approaching RGIA. The aircraft landed safely, but a subsequent inspection found minor damage to its nose section.
In February 2026, another IndiGo flight operating from Jaipur to Hyderabad reportedly experienced a bird strike during landing.
Lapwings and barn swallows among frequently involved birds
The DGCA records identify several bird species involved in strikes at Hyderabad airport.
Red-wattled lapwings accounted for the highest number of identified bird strikes, with eight incidents. Barn swallows were involved in six cases, followed by rock pigeons with five, Indian thick-knees with four and black kites with three.
The reported wildlife encounters were not limited to birds. Different bat species, including insect-eating and fruit-eating varieties, along with rabbits and wild cats, also featured in the records.
Most incidents occurred during landing and approach
Of the 442 reported wildlife strike incidents, 276 occurred during landing or approach, while another 164 were recorded during take-off or departure.
Such encounters can disrupt flight schedules and require operational measures, including go-arounds, air turn-backs, precautionary landings, diversions and delays.
The accumulation of food waste, roadside garbage, landfills and water bodies around the airport has been cited as contributing to wildlife activity in the surrounding areas.
Airport introduces measures to reduce wildlife activity
To minimise the presence of birds and other animals near aircraft movement areas, the airport has introduced several measures.
These include installing a habitat fragmenter, managing vegetation and placing nylon-net fencing to restrict animal movement into sensitive areas.
The increase in reported incidents highlights the importance of continued wildlife management and monitoring to reduce risks to aircraft and passengers at Hyderabad airport.
