CHUKS OKOH
The management of Osubi Airport in Warri, has reacted to the claims by the management of Air Peace that the recent bird strike which occurred last Friday happened at the airport.
Describing the claims as unfortunate, the airport manager , Mr Winston Egwuatu, in a chat said, the airline decoded to use bird strike as the excuse why their flight that Friday night was cancelled even though from the information the pilot provided showed the strike didn’t happen in Osubi Airport.
According to Mr Egwuatu, the airline’s initial challenge was that the aircraft lost its Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) inflight and upon landing requested for Ground Power Unit (GPU) even before shutting its engines.
Egwuatu disclosed that the team osubi airport with the support of the FAAN managing director, under his watch has put in so much effort over the years to curtail the chances of any form of incident.
The Osubi airport manager declared.
“We always carry out Bird Control Operations called ” Baiting ” in order to deter Birds from taking habitat or sanctuary there. We do that often in conjunction with the Dumpsite Manager.
He explained that, there was no refuse dump at the airsides as the state approved dumpsite at Osubi near PTI junction axis was less than 2km radius from Runway 06 Approach Corridor.
“We have a brand new Hilux that is equipped with a mounted Propane Canon for Bird Deterrence. In fact, we have two Propane Canons. We have Cartons of Pyrotechnics for Bird Harassment
Also have ICAO approved chemicals for Bird Deterrence”
The airport’s brand new wildlife operational vehicle he said was a gift support from His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to the airport
He explained that the Bird/Wildlife Control Operations were very effective and efficient adding that effective Osubi Bird Control can be measured saying, that for almost two years, their goal Zero of no Bird/Wildlife Strike incident was achieved
Egwuatu said “We have written to the Delta State Waste Management Agency, requesting for relocation to 15km Radius from Osubi Airport. The Delta State Waste Management Agency requested for supportive documents which were provided”
Some of the new things introduced in the airport in the areas of Bird/Wildlife Control according to Egwuatu, include, Four Runway Sweep for every aircraft before landing of Aircraft, Runway Sweep after Landing, Runway Sweep before Aircraft Take-Off , and Runway Sweep after Aircraft is Airborne.
Maintenance of proper grass management and ensuring that ICAO Recommended Grass Heights between 6 inches to 10 inches are maintained with proper Waste management and evacuations.
Others are, quarterly Ornithological Surveys to check the influx of Birds, their roosting sites, Nesting Sites, Migratory Patterns, Mating season and proper stakeholders engagement, enlightenment campaigns and education on our efforts, activities, achievements, areas of support, areas of collaboration, and on areas of cooperations
He noted that these have helped the airport achieve the ‘goal zero’ target of no accidents and incidents of birds strike set sometime in July of 2024
Air Peace on June 5, said it’s aircraft from Lagos-Osubi experienced bird strike while landing at the Osubi airport in Warri
Egwuatu thanked the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo for his kind support to the airport, the host communities for their cooperation and the collaborative efforts of the ever hardworking and diligent staff, agencies and stakeholders at Osubi airport.
