Back

January 8th, 2009

Promote safety assurance to prevent accidents

Members of Augusto Sandino Airport Committee on Bird Hazard held an evaluating meeting. (Consuelo Sandoval Photo).

EAAI (International Airport Administration) will require the competent authorities to implement the laws and national regulations against those who break the rules that prohibit the creation of illegal dumps and disposal of dead animals in unauthorized places, which appeals carrion birds and at the same time threatens the Air Navigation.
Mr. Guillen Zeledón Helmer, EAAI Operations Manager, reported that in order to reduce aviation risks, and based on the Bird Hazard Committee recommendation, an illegal grease processing plant was closed down, and the owners of a slaughterhouse, who threw the viscera outside, were warned for this action.

He revealed that the Bird Hazard Committee developed a mitigation plan for 2009 that considers the internal control of Bird focus of attraction, such as dumpsters and dead animals; flight dispersal activity and encourages a warning system to report the presence of vultures, herons and occasionally crows within Augusto C. Sandino International Airport.

On the contrary, the external actions of the Airport also include training for residents in the vicinity, which have the greatest negative impact on garbage processing, as well as management and follow up of slaughterhouses, located within aircraft landing and take-off areas.
International Event
Guillen confirmed that Nicaragua will host the International Conference on Bird Hazard Committee to be held in the coming months and it is expected that commissioners of all Latin America and the Caribbean countries will assist.

The Bird Hazard Committee of Nicaragua is managed by an EAAI representative, and made up by delegates from the Ministry of Health, National Police, Civil Aviation Institute (INAC), Major’s Office of Managua, the Free Zones Corporation, the Air Force and Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources, and Agriculture and Forestry (MAGFOR).

In addition, airlines representatives, Ghanza and slaughterhouses are included.

This committee was created with the aim of reducing the rates of carrion bird impacts against aircrafts that land and take off from Augusto C. Sandino International Airport and that could cause danger to the passengers, crew and visitors.

The Bird Hazard Committee meets every month at the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport.