Environment
India’s sky threat: AI 171 Ahmedabad crash sparks focus on bird strikes
The number of bird hits at Indian airports has more than doubled in five years
On June 12, 2025, flight AI 171 crashed near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, prompting renewed scrutiny of aviation safety in India. And one of the growing concerns is that of bird strikes.
The number of bird hits at Indian airports has more than doubled in five years. Experts, pilots and official data point to poor wildlife control, neglected safety measures, and local environmental hazards as key risks.