Day in day out, the aviation industry in India faces new challenges especially in context with the safety issues although the country till date has remained lucky enough that no untoward incident has happened and all the fliers return on ground safely without any misfortune. Already in the last couple of years many airlines in the country were on radar of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the regulatory body in the field of Civil Aviation for monitoring shortcomings on various counts leading to serious lapses mid air and on ground.
It is sad state of affairs that the bad days of Indian aviation sector are not coming to an end as another episode of things going haywire has come to fore when reportedly a Vistara flight returned to Bengaluru without landing at the Dabolim Airport in Goa after a stray dog was spotted on the runway by the Air Traffic Controller. Although the pilot of the aforesaid flight was asked to “hold for sometime” as a stray dog was spotted on the runway of the Dabolim Airport but the man controlling the airplane preferred to return to Bengaluru.
Ensuring the safety of airports is crucial, and the presence of stray animals on runways poses potential risks. It raises concerns about aviation safety, wildlife hazards, and the need for effective management strategies. The incident is a new feature in the list of security risks to the aviation sector as earlier it was always worried about the flying or hovering birds that posed great risk to planes and passenger abodes.
Mitigating these risks requires collaboration between aviation authorities and local communities to create safer airport environments.
It is pertinent to mention that the Dabolim Airport in Goa is part of the Navy's INS Hansa base. The Vistara flight UK 881 left from the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru at 12.55 PM on Monday and returned at 3.05 PM. The flight again took off from Bengaluru at 4.55 PM and reached Goa at 6.15 PM.
Looking into the incident of stray dogs entering the high security airport in Goa giving a dodge to the security staff on ground and creating safety issues, it becomes imperative that such a privilege should not be given to dogs and cattle as the same could prove to be deleterious.
Addressing the issue of stray animals entering airports and runways requires a multifaceted approach. First, enhancing perimeter fencing and implementing wildlife deterrents can help create a physical barrier. Additionally, community-based initiatives for responsible pet ownership and sterilization programmes can reduce the stray animal population. Collaborative efforts between local authorities, animal welfare organizations, and airport management are essential to develop and implement effective strategies. Regular monitoring and swift response mechanisms can further contribute to creating safer airport environments, mitigating potential risks.
