Wildlife Hazard Management in Aviation Safety Policy at Indonesian Airports: A Qualitative Gap Analysis

Abstract

Wildlife strikes remain a persistent safety risk for airport operators because birds and terrestrial animals can damage aircraft, disrupt schedules, and threaten passengers and crews. In Indonesia, the issue is particularly important because airports operate in diverse ecological settings, including coastal zones, forest edges, wetlands, agricultural areas, settlements, and rapidly urbanizing airport vicinities. This study evaluates the implementation of Wildlife Hazard Management (WHM) at Indonesian airports by synthesizing published airport evidence and comparing reported practices with ICAO standards and Indonesian aerodrome regulations. A qualitative documentary review and structured gap analysis were conducted using ICAO Annex 14, ICAO Doc 9137 Part 3, ICAO Safety Management System principles, Indonesian CASR Part 139-related regulations, and empirical studies from several Indonesian airports. The analysis was organized around eight WHM components: wildlife assessment, habitat and attractant control, patrol and surveillance, reporting and risk assessment, equipment and technology, personnel competence, emergency preparedness, and off-airport stakeholder coordination. The findings show that Indonesian airports have generally adopted core WHM practices, including patrols, reporting, grass cutting, perimeter control, and deterrent equipment. However, implementation remains uneven. Key gaps include limited species-specific and seasonal risk assessment, incomplete evidence on reporting quality, insufficient recurrent training and simulation, suboptimal placement and maintenance of deterrent equipment, and weak documentation of off-airport coordination within the 13 km wildlife-risk area. The study contributes a comparative policy-implementation framework for strengthening WHM as part of airport Safety Management Systems in Indonesia.