The localizer mound at Muan International Airport, where a bird strike incident occurred [Yonhap]
The localizer mound at Muan International Airport, where a bird strike incident occurred [Yonhap]

More than one-third of all aircraft damage caused by bird strikes at airports nationwide involved engines, according to newly released government data.

Data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Airports Corporation, released Tuesday by Democratic Party lawmaker Jo In-cheol — who represents the Gwangju Seo-gu constituency in South Jeolla Province and sits on the National Assembly's land and transport committee — showed that bird strikes at airports across the country totaled 1,126 from 2022 through June.

By airport, Incheon recorded the most with 323 incidents (28.7 percent), followed by Gimpo with 223 (19.8 percent), Gimhae with 212 (18.8 percent) and Jeju with 180 (16.0 percent).

In the Honam region, Gwangju recorded 36 incidents, Yeosu 14, Muan 9 and Gunsan 8.

Over the same period, bird strikes resulted in aircraft damage in 105 cases, of which 39 involved engine damage — accounting for 37.1 percent of all aircraft damage.

At Muan International Airport, where the Dec. 29 passenger jet disaster occurred, authorities used shotguns, acoustic alarms and sound-wave generators to capture 144 birds and drive away 5,911 others from 2022 through last month.

"Bird strikes are a high-risk factor that can lead to disasters, including engine shutdowns and airframe cracks during takeoff and landing," Jo said. "Bird-detection radar and deterrence infrastructure must be significantly strengthened to prevent a repeat of the Dec. 29 aviation disaster."


husn7@heraldcorp.com