Uganda Airlines has launched the flight path sustainability project, a waste management initiative designed to enhance aviation safety and support environmental sustainability around Entebbe International Airport.
Bird strikes pose a significant challenge to global aviation, costing the industry an estimated $1.2 billion annually as they primarily during takeoff and landing, with up to 90% happening near airports.
To this, Uganda Airlines which operates from Entebbe International Airport located near the bird-rich Mabamba Bay has by June this year recorded 21 bird strikes.
However, in a bid to mitigate this state of affairs, the national carrier officials say it is high time they dealt with the root cause.
“Bird strikes pose a serious challenge to aviation globally, and Entebbe International Airport is no exception. This project aims to reduce bird concentrations near our flight paths by 40%, ensuring safer skies for all,” Uganda Airlines CEO, Jenifer Bamuturaki said.
“We are not just addressing safety; we are also taking a holistic approach to environmental conservation by protecting the Mabamba Bay ecosystem and promoting sustainable waste management practices.”
She emphasized the need for collaboration between the airline and other stakeholders including local communities to create a safe environment but also foster behavior change and support innovative recycling solutions such as repurposing fish scales as industrial raw materials.
“By supporting women fish traders along Lake Victoria’s shores, we aim to uplift livelihoods and improve sanitation in Kigungu and the surrounding areas.”
Entebbe Municipality mayor, Fabrice Rulinda said whereas Kigungu and other parts of the municipality have long faced waste management challenges, the project presents and opportunity to change this state of affairs.
“The partnership between Uganda Airlines and our community will help reduce bird strikes, enhancing the safety of flights and protecting our local ecosystem in Mabamba Bay. Supporting women fish traders and improving hygiene practices will lead to significant improvements in the quality of life for residents in Kigungu and beyond,” Rulinda said.
He urged local communities to embrace this project with open hearts and minds.
Uganda Airlines head of PR and Communications, Shakila Rahim Lamar emphasized that the project is about tackling the root causes of bird strikes by addressing waste management challenges in communities near Entebbe Airport.
“We recognize that Spur-winged geese and other birds are drawn to improperly disposed fish waste. Our solution is to minimize this attraction through sustainable waste practices. Public awareness is a key component of this project. We will engage the Kigungu community and the Municipality to inspire a culture of recycling, reusing, and reselling waste materials,” she said.
About the project
According to Uganda Airlines officials, the project is anchored on four key objectives including a 40% reduction in bird concentration around Entebbe International Airport by implementing strategic waste management solutions to minimize bird-attracting debris but also protecting Mabamba Bay, a vital habitat for various bird species, while maintaining the ecological balance of the area.
The project will also promote sustainable waste management practices by creating cleaner and safer environment for both aviation operations and the local community.
Special attention will be given to supporting women involved in fish trading along the shores of Lake Victoria, promoting better hygiene and waste management practices.
