Keeping the birds at bay at Tocumen Airport

Bird control at Tocumen Airport

by Tomás García

The issue of bird control at airports is very delicate. Airlines and airports incur terrible losses due to the sudden intrusion of birds into airport perimeters. These birds can accidentally bump into the turbines of an airplane, causing malfunctions and halting takeoffs. On other occasions, the birds crash into the planes’ windshields, stopping the airplane as well. Birds can pose even greater hazards when in large flocks, which can cause airplane crashes.

Tocumen Airport is no exception. Although Tocumen Airport has not seen an aerial accident in years, the airport has seen a couple of incidents involving birds. “Last year, thirteen cases occurred in relating to avian interventions,” says José Jaén, director of the Avian Control Project at Tocumen. “Luckily, with our new technology and methods, we have decreased the cases to two impacts so far this year.”

One of the main problems of avian control at Tocumen Airport has always been garbage disposal. “Since we are mostly bothered by the black vultures, one of our main problems is the trash deposits around Tocumen,” Jaén asserts, “Garbage is huge problem in other airports, such as the one in Chitre. Nevertheless, vultures are not the only problem. Owls are a hazard for night flights.”

Throughout the years, Jaén has worked to prevent bird problems in Tocumen by following several steps. “One of the most important aspects of avian control is the monitoring of the aerial perimeter of Tocumen in search of birds,” Jaen explains. “Secondly, the team is always aware that dead animals on the runways can attract birds.”

Prevention solves many incidents, but sometimes it is not enough. “If our efforts to prevent are futile, we usually resort to pyrotechnics, pistols that emit noise which deters birds from flying around the area, and sound bombs.” Jaén says, “Our last resort, unfortunately, is killing the birds.”

In years past, many hardcore environmentalists protested at the mere idea of killing wild animals, even though the consequences can be fatal to the people aboard the planes. “Today we have no problems with any environmental institution,” Jaén asserts. “In fact, we work jointly with many environmental groups.”

Many people misunderstand avian control. Managing the biodiversity of airports is part of the aeronautical authority of a country, making the task of bird control a national issue. The National Committee for the Prevention of Avian Hazards of Panama is the entity that coordinates avian control in Panama.

The National Environmental Authority (ANAM) supports and works along with other institutions such as the National University of Panama, Civil Aeronautics Directorate and various airline companies in the National Committee for the Prevention of Avian Hazards of Panama. “ANAM is only a small section of the Committee,” Eduardo Martínez, an employee at ANAM’s public relations department, notes.

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