Safety Risks: In rare cases, birdstrikes can cause emergency landings, jeopardizing passenger and crew safety. Statistical Data on BirdStrikes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported over 17,000 birdstrikes annually in the United States from 2010 to 2022. Birdstrikes are a known risk in the aviation world, and Nadi International Airport in Fiji is no exception. Recent reports indicate an uptick in these incidents, which not only affect flight safety but also lead to costly repairs and maintenance. An AI tool spots airborne hazards in real time. May 11, 2026 By Janine Canillas. Birdstrikes are defined as: ”A collision between a bird and an aircraft which is in flight or on a takeoff or landing roll”. On average, about 95% of animals that are involved in strikes with aircraft are birds. What are the causes of flight delays and cancellations for Air Peace and how does the airline mitigate risks like birdstrikes to ensure passengersafety? About 95 per cent of the flight delays and cancellations we experience result from external factors. Birds can dent metal or break sensors when they hit at high speed. Engines have special designs to keep working after a hit.The birdstrike tested safety systems but they held strong. Passengers learned firsthand how teams train for the unexpected. That bird most likely didn’t survive.” Based on that 60 percent death rate, the researchers reached a striking conclusion: Collisions with buildings could kill well over 1 billion birds per year in the United States alone.