Last year saw a notable rise in the number of bird strikes involving aircraft around Tivat Airport compared to the previous year. In response, Airports of Montenegro (ACG) and the Civil Aviation Agency (ACVV) are implementing measures aimed at enhancing safety and minimizing the occurrences of such incidents. It is possible that these and other challenges affecting Tivat Airport may soon be addressed by the National Air Traffic Safety Management Board.

Bird strikes can inflict significant damage to aircraft, especially if a larger bird collides with a jet engine, often resulting in expensive repairs and grounding of the aircraft. More critically, these incidents can pose severe risks to the safety of the aircraft, crew, and passengers. Therefore, airports employ diverse strategies and maintain wildlife control services to avert potential “close encounters” between aircraft and wildlife.

“Last year, Tivat Airport recorded 17 confirmed bird strikes, while this year, up to this point, only five have been reported. Additional cases were noted through pilot reports of bird strikes, albeit without material evidence, typically indicating these incidents occurred outside the airport’s grounds,” stated ACG management in a conversation with “Vijesti.”

They clarified that, as per aviation standards, “a confirmed collision is defined as a bird strike supported by material evidence such as a carcass found on airport grounds or marks on the aircraft, in addition to a pilot report indicating a strike has taken place.”

At Podgorica Airport, ACG data indicates that there were 18 confirmed bird collisions last year, with ten instances involving small kestrels weighing less than 200 grams. Seagulls, however, represent a more significant concern, as they are the predominant bird species near Tivat Airport and pose the highest risks to flight safety regarding impact likelihood and potential damage. The yellow-legged gull (Larus Michahellis), commonly found around Tivat Airport, measures 56 to 68 cm in length, weighs between 0.8 and 1.5 kilograms, and boasts a wingspan of approximately 150 cm. A collision with a bird of this size typically results in damage to the aircraft.

One flight was canceled due to damage.

ACG reported that there have been no significant aircraft damages resulting from bird strikes at Tivat Airport during 2023 and 2024. However, the CAA, the country’s primary aviation authority, mentioned that there were two cases where aircraft experienced damage.

“In one instance, the takeoff was aborted due to a bird contact, leading to the flight’s cancellation, and the aircraft was rescheduled to depart the following day with a new destination. The second incident involved an aircraft encountering a flock of birds during landing. Upon inspection, no damage was confirmed, and the aircraft was promptly returned to service,” noted the CAA.

The Agency emphasized that all aviation entities in Montenegro must report bird strike incidents in line with the Regulation on Notification, Analysis, and Monitoring of Events in Civil Aviation.

“This includes situations where pilots sight birds, irrespective of whether contact with the aircraft occurred. The data from the Agency and the Airport could reflect discrepancies, as the CAA compiles reports from all aviation entities in Montenegro, not solely from ACG,” stated the Agency, led by Director Ivan Šćekić. They reported that “21 events involving confirmed contact between aircraft and birds at Tivat Airport were documented, whether through traces on the aircraft or remains found on airport grounds.”

“In 2023, 14 such events were reported with confirmed contact. Two incidents resulted in aircraft damage. The total number of reported events at Tivat Airport for 2024 reached 38, compared to 26 in 2023. In 2022, there were 37 reports, illustrating a consistency with 2024,” affirmed the CAA, which advocated enhancing safety culture in aviation by urging entities to adhere to reporting regulations regarding bird strikes.

There were 30 contacts in Podgorica

According to CAA statistics, 30 incidents of confirmed bird contact were reported in the Podgorica Airport vicinity last year, though none resulted in aircraft damage.

Airports of Montenegro confirmed to “Vijesti” that despite a higher occurrence of bird strike incidents last year, they did not notably affect the liability insurance premium, which has remained largely stable over the past three years, although a small increase occurred in 2023 due to market disruptions and emerging risks.

Both ACG and ACV have assured “Vijesti” that the wildlife control service at Tivat Airport applies a comprehensive array of methods to mitigate the presence of wild animals, as outlined in Tivat Airport’s Wildlife Risk Management Program dated March 27, 2024.

These methods include wildlife deterrence by maintaining green spaces, eliminating food sources, preventing animal habitation, monitoring operational zones for wildlife presence, and regularly inspecting maneuvering areas before each landing and takeoff—conducted 10 to 15 minutes prior.

They will get a new repellent device.

To displace birds and other animals, acoustic methods utilizing sound devices, visual techniques employing lasers, and pyrotechnic strategies involving starting guns are utilized.

“The public procurement plan for 2025 includes plans to acquire new dispersal devices for both airports, specifically remote-controlled gas cannons. We continuously strive to enhance dispersal methods, given that birds adapt to existing strategies, thus diminishing their effectiveness,” ACG mentioned, while the CAA confirmed that Airports of Montenegro remain “under ongoing scrutiny by the Civil Aviation Agency as per current regulatory standards.”

The Agency highlighted that they received information from ACG regarding an “increase in bird presence at and near Tivat Airport,” prompting the Agency to arrange a meeting with representatives from the Municipality of Tivat, the Municipal Company, and Tivat Airport for coordinated action. They indicated that Tivat Airport’s situation is “particularly challenging due to the proximity of the ‘Solila’ nature reserve on one side of the runway, with a landfill on the other, attracting birds and increasing their crossings over the runway.”

“The CAA has persistently urged ACG to undertake intensified measures aimed at reducing bird strike risks at airports. A meeting held in Tivat discussing both short-term and long-term strategies to tackle this issue concluded that the Agency might eventually escalate the matter to the National Air Safety Management Board to explore additional measures within its broader jurisdiction,” the Agency emphasized.

Food at the landfill is the main cause of bird presence

Unofficial reports from both ACG and ACV suggest that the root of the problem lies in the exposed and unprotected transfer station of the Tivat Municipal Company, situated merely a hundred meters from the airport runway. This location is where municipal waste is processed and sorted, making it a prime attraction for birds seeking food.

Airports of Montenegro assert that the ongoing hazard posed by unprotected waste sites near the airport, coupled with the nature reserve and the development of new facilities within the airport vicinity, has escalated the issue to the point of requiring intervention from the highest air traffic safety authority—the National Board. ACG intends to be actively involved in discussions and solutions regarding this matter.

“Our company has made clear its willingness to collaborate on resolving this issue, particularly since the jurisdiction of the airport area lies beyond our authority. We anticipate support from the CAA and the National Board to establish a comprehensive solution to mitigate risks affecting flight safety, encompassing removal of food sources for birds and monitoring developments like uncovered waste transfer stations and nearby private lands that could serve as habitats,” concluded ACG management.

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