Charlotte Encounters Rising Bird Strikes: Airlines on Alert!

Charlotte’s Skies May Hold More Surprises: Bird Strikes on the Rise!

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Just when you thought it was safe to take to the skies, bird strikes are making headlines yet again! Late Thursday night, an American Airlines flight from New York’s LaGuardia airport on its way to Charlotte Douglas International had to make a swift emergency landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport after an unfortunate run-in with a bird. Thankfully, the plane landed safely, but it got us thinking—are these feathered collisions becoming more common?

What’s the Buzz About Bird Strikes?

So, what’s really going on? Well, after some digging, it turns out that bird strikes are indeed on the rise! According to a closer inspection of data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), from 1990 to 2023, a staggering 296,613 wildlife strikes involving civil aircraft have been documented around the globe. The kicker? A whopping 98.3% of these incidents occurred right here in the U.S., with the vast majority being bird-related. Talk about a flock of trouble!

The Numbers Don’t Lie

If you think about it, almost every year has seen an uptick in these strikes. The only year that took a noticeable dip was 2020, and we all know why—COVID-19 put a damper on travel plans worldwide. Fast forward to this year, and the figures are staggering: there have already been 19,603 documented strikes in 2023, averaging out to about 54 wildlife strikes every single day. Can you believe that?

How Often Do These Birds Clobber Planes?

When we zero in on the particulars, it seems that 54% of bird strikes tend to happen during the warmer months between July and October. And guess what? Most of these feather confrontations are occurring during daylight hours—about 62% of the time! Ever wonder when birds and planes have a higher likelihood of clashing? They tend to hit planes mostly when they’re arriving—61% of hits occurred on descent, while only 34% happened on takeoff.

How Low Do They Go?

Another interesting nugget? Around 70% of bird strikes happen at or below 500 feet above ground level. However, strikes that occur above that altitude are far more likely to cause significant damage. In fact, between 1990 and 2023, there have been at least 83 strikes that destroyed aircraft. Yikes!

The Financial Impact

And let’s not forget the effect on the flying business! In 2023 alone, these wildlife strikes could lead to over 62,000 hours of aircraft downtime and a whopping $461 million in losses for U.S. civil aviation industries. That’s a big hit to take!

Steps in the Right Direction

But hold on, it’s not all doom and gloom! Since the notorious “Miracle on the Hudson,” a tragic incident caused by a bird strike, significant strides have been made in wildlife management at airports. Since then, more than $400 million has been invested in wildlife-related projects, including comprehensive assessments, strategic plans, and airport perimeter fencing—defenses against those soaring surprises! The FAA has also stepped up with over $30 million dedicated to research funds on this pressing issue.

So, as the skies above Charlotte and beyond become busier, remember that those cute little birds could potentially put a damper on your flight. But thanks to ongoing efforts, airports are doing their best to keep both planes and wildlife flying high!