AirAsia Philippines is strengthening its commitment to flight safety and operational resilience by collaborating closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and other aviation stakeholders to address the increasing challenge of bird strikes.
A bird strike occurs when a bird collides with an aircraft, most often during takeoff or landing. While most incidents are minor, they can cause damage, disrupt flight schedules, and affect overall airline operations.
From January to August 2025, AirAsia Philippines recorded more than 90 bird strike events across various domestic airports. While the majority were low-consequence occurrences, six incidents resulted in confirmed damage to aircraft components. In all cases, flight safety was maintained, with incidents resulting only in temporary aircraft inspections, repairs, and minor delays.
Recognizing the need for a collective approach, AirAsia Philippines is working hand in hand with the CAAP to mitigate the presence of birds, especially around high-risk areas like the Tacloban airport runway. In response to a report from AirAsia, the CAAP has committed to deploying a team of biologists and wildlife experts to coordinate with local authorities on this matter.
The airline also actively participates in the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) safety sub-committee, where airlines share data and align on strategies for nationwide wildlife hazard management.
“Wildlife activity is a natural occurrence around airports, but even a single bird can pose a risk during takeoff and landing,” said AirAsia Philippines President and CEO Capt. Suresh Bangah. “That’s why wildlife hazard management isn’t something airlines can do alone—it requires a collective effort among government, airport operators, and the entire industry. We are proud to work closely with CAAP, ACAP, airport partners, and fellow airlines to ensure that our skies stay safe for everyone.”
Internally, AirAsia has intensified crew advisories at high-risk airports and reinforced coordination between its flight operations, engineering, and ground teams. The airline’s Flight Safety and Data Analysis Program continuously monitors and analyzes bird strike trends, with findings reviewed quarterly by its Safety Review Board to ensure prompt and effective safety measures are in place.
