Moscow Zhukovsky airport's operator is taking measures to enhance its bird-control capabilities in the aftermath of the Ural Airlines field-landing accident.
The operator, Ramport Aero, says it has funded the acquisition and introduction of "new equipment for scaring birds".
It is working to accelerate modernisation efforts which were being conducted by the Gromov flight research institute which operates the adjacent Ramenskoye airfield.
The improvement have been given momentum following the 15 August accident involving a Ural Airbus A321 which was forced to land in a field south of the airport after a loss of thrust in both engines, which the carrier has attributed to a bird-strike.
Measures being introduced include bio-acoustic defences and propane cannons – devices which periodically issue loud bangs – around the perimeter of the airfield.
“To speed up the work, we decided to support the modernisation of the [Gromov institute] as much as possible and to share the costs of acquiring the latest equipment," says Ramport Aero first deputy general director Yevgeny Solodilin.
"We are a commercial structure and we can act more freely in the implementation of procurement procedures, so the work will be completed as soon as possible."
It has been aiming to complete the initial stage of the work as the MAKS Moscow air show opens on 27 August. MAKS is being held at Ramenskoye.
Solodilin says the programme will enable the operator to achieve a "dramatic improvement" regarding the ornithological risks at Zhukovsky.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
