MANILA: The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has announced ongoing enhancements to aviation safety protocols, focusing on preventing bird strikes at the nation's airports. This announcement comes in the wake of a recent incident involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, which crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, resulting in 179 fatalities.

According to Philippines News Agency, CAAP Spokesperson Eric Apolonio emphasized the agency's commitment to addressing the risks posed by bird strikes during a discussion on the Usapang TOL radio program hosted by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino. The crash in South Korea occurred as the plane attempted to land shortly after a bird strike warning was issued by the control tower.

Apolonio highlighted that climate change is a significant factor considered by CAAP when implementing measures to prevent bird strikes, particularly during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. He assured that CAAP is actively addressing this issue and recently conducted a seminar to discuss the increasing population of migratory birds near airports and strategies to mitigate the risk of bird strikes.

Senate Majority Leader Tolentino pointed out the proximity of Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Freedom Island, a protected bird sanctuary in Manila Bay, as a particular area of concern. In addition to bird strike prevention, Apolonio provided updates on other safety improvements. These include enhancements to night operation ratings, runway expansions at several regional airports, and the implementation of new security regulations to accommodate the increased volume of travelers during the holiday season.