Sonic Shields Up! Chennai Airport Deploys Thunder Booms to Outsmart Bird Strikes

In a first to boost air security, Chennai International Airport has deployed 30 hand-held "thunder boom" machines to deter bird strikes on its congested runways. The new system, launched by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), makes thunderous noises to drive out birds from vulnerable airside areas, contrary to the conventional and dangerous method of using firecrackers.

 

The airport, which handles almost 480 flight movements every day, has long been troubled by its location near the Adyar River and the surrounding forests—natural habitats of huge flocks of birds. Bird strikes, especially at take-off and landing, have been serious risks, and 39 of them have occurred between January and October 2023.

 

The use of thunder booms is a move towards new, pyrotechnic-free deterrents that are safer and more ecological. The equipment will be manned by trained operators at strategic locations close to the runways, particularly in the morning and evening when the birds are most active.

 

Apart from thunder booms, Chennai Airport has also introduced battery-powered tipping carts to enable ground maintenance, complementing the airport's commitment to operational effectiveness and sustainability.

 

Airport officials will track the success of these measures in the coming months, with the option of adding to the program if good results persist.

 

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Source: The Hindu BusinessLine