Aerocivil Colombia informed the Attorney General's Office that 57 species of birds have been identified at the Palonegro International Airport, with the common vulture being the most dangerous for air operations. the Agency said in a reply,
"Civil Aeronautics would like to inform that, committed to operational and aviation safety at the Palonegro International Airport, which serves the city of Bucaramanga, it has led coordinated actions with different sectors through working groups that seek to integrate measures that allow minimizing operational risks due to the presence of fauna in the most important terminal in Santander, among which systematic monitoring activities of the fauna stand out, where 57 species of birds have been identified, including the common vulture (Coragyps atratus) and various swallows."
As per Aerocivil, between year 2014 and 2024, 229 incidents involving wildlife were recorded, most of them outside the terminal, It said,
"Between 2014 and 2024, 229 incidents involving wildlife were recorded, most of them outside the airport, which reflects the effectiveness of the measures implemented, although it remains a priority aspect."
The Attorney General's Office had earlier asked the Civil Aeronautics to analyze the possibility of partially suspending operations at the Palonegro International Airport, due to the high risk posed by the wildlife in areas near the air terminal.
The Attorney General's Office reported a "massive presence" of vultures near the Palonegro International Airport, located in Lebrija and serving Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area.
The disciplinary control body had formally requested that the Civil Aeronautics study the possibility of restricting operations in order to mitigate the risks of possible accidents with aircraft.
The alert was issued on Wednesday, October 2, through an official statement released by the Attorney General's Office. In fact, the public ministry warned that there have already been incidents involving aircraft, precisely due to the large number of these birds in the vicinity of the airport terminal.
The Attorney General's Office said that this "massive presence" of vultures originated due to the uncontrolled emergence of clandestine slaughterhouses with inadequate practices, as well as chicken farms, activities that attract the birds in question.
The Attorney General's Office was concerned about the recent operating license granted to the El Carrasco landfill, a final disposal site for solid waste that is also relatively close to the approach cone of the Palonegro airport .
In recent days, according to the agency, Civil Aeronautics was asked to "evaluate whether it is necessary to partially suspend operations at the Bucaramanga airport (during certain daytime or nighttime hours, according to a technical study)."
Replying the concerns raised by the Attorney General's Office, Civil Aeronautics said that hazard assessments have been carried out to classify the risk levels, however, the agency has asked responsible authority to identify the sources those attract the wildlife around the airport. They said,
"Likewise, hazard assessments have been carried out, establishing that the common vulture represents a high risk for air operations, along with seven other species classified as medium-risk, which requires priority attention from the competent authorities, in order to identify the sources, mainly related to the inadequate disposal of waste, that may be attracting wildlife in the municipalities surrounding the airport."
As per sources, Since year 2013, there has been a warning about the risk of vultures in Palonegro. In that year, a popular action was filed with the aim of taking measures to mitigate the risk of accidents and keep the population of this species of birds under control.
There is currently a working and monitoring table in place, made up of different authorities and airport administrators, with the aim of maintaining measures to counteract this wildlife hazard to the flights.
According to the Aeropuertos de Oriente SAS, the entity that operates and manages the airport, every year, Palonegro International Airport handles more than two million passengers and carries out more than 28,000 air operations.
Aerocivil has assured the measures taken to mitigate the wildlife problems surrounding the airport, their release read as,
"Civil Aeronautics, through the Airport Committee for the Prevention of Bird and Fauna Hazards, has held meetings with authorities and private actors to coordinate actions, implement management plans and promote environmental education in the community. In addition, aeronautical regulations have been disseminated with key actors to ensure their incorporation into municipal land use plans."
"The Entity reiterates its commitment to the optimal provision of air services to and from Palonegro, and is attentive to the call from local authorities to continue implementing actions to mitigate the wildlife problem that occurs in the vicinity of the airport."
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