Bahrain Airport Company enhances wildlife hazard programme

Credit: BAC

Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the managing body and operator of Bahrain International Airport (BIA) completed a thorough review of its Wildlife Hazard Management Programme in partnership with Avisure Ltd., a well known aviation wildlife management consultancy.

The assessment uses the expertise and industry best practices provided by Avisure, supporting BAC to address evolving wildlife-related risks. Avisure can implement mitigation measures, reaffirming its commitment to upholding operational excellence and the highest levels of safety.

This ongoing assessment programme consists of three thorough evaluations, the first of which was conducted in July 2023, the second in January 2024, and the most recent in July 2024. The programme evaluation included a thorough Wildlife Hazard Assessment (WHA), which involved wildlife surveys, a review of existing wildlife management practices and documentation, and an audit against Kingdom of Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) regulations, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 14 requirements, besides other relevant international standards.

The ongoing assessment programme includes three evaluations, the first of which was conducted in July 2023, the second in January 2024 and the most recent in July 2024. The programme evaluation consisted of a thorough Wildlife Hazard Assessment (WHA) which included wildlife surveys, a review of management practices and documentation and an audit against Kingdom of Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) regulations, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 14 requirements, besides other relevant international standards.

Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah commented, “At Bahrain International Airport, the safety of the aerodrome is of paramount importance, and our Wildlife Hazard Management Programme is a vital component of our commitment to maintaining the highest operational and safety standards. This comprehensive review ensures that our programme aligns with best practices and equips our team with the knowledge and tools to effectively mitigate wildlife hazards, further enhancing the safety standards at the airport and strengthening the collective ability of the airlines operating at BIA to safeguard the well-being of passengers, staff and the surrounding environment.”

He added: “By assessing the airport’s Wildlife Hazard Management Programme and aligning it with the industry’s most robust best practices on regular basis, we continue to reinforce our commitment to safe operations at BIA and cement its position as a global leader in aviation safety and operational excellence.”

The WHA involved three site visits to BIA, during which Avisure conducted a gap analysis of the existing program established in 2018, updated the species risk assessment and delivered specialised training to key BAC personnel.