FAA seeks solutions as bird strikes rise in U.S., Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Federal Aviation Administration says bird strikes are on the rise across the U.S.

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With cases having doubled since 2000, FAA officials are looking to get a bird’s eye view of wildlife near airports across the country.

As the agency continues researching solutions to the growing problem, Channel 9′s Alexa Lorenzo recently looked into incidents at Orlando International Airport.

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She found that last year, 228 wildlife strikes were reported at MCO.

She also learned, to date, there have been more than a dozen incidents in April 2023 alone, two involving Bald Eagles.

In the U.S., data shows that more than 17,000 wildlife strikes were reported last year — an increase of roughly 10% when compared to 2021.

Aviation experts point to several likely causes, including a higher volume of aircraft in the sky, growing wildlife populations, and quieter engines on planes.

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In late 2021, the FAA researched ultraviolet lights, fixed to aircraft, that would activate at lower altitudes.

Because birds are sensitive to UV light, officials found this could be one option to deter them from entering the paths of oncoming planes.

The FAA also formed a recent partnership with Mississippi State, where biologists are using drones to study wildlife around airports.

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Their research could discover new ways to reduce bird strikes and other threats that animals pose to aircraft, as well as the crew and passengers who occupy them.

“There will continue to be bird strikes,” ABC News contributor and aviation expert, Steve Ganyard said.

“They generally do not bring airplanes down, but they continue to do damage and they do put crews and passengers at risk.”

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