Snake at Mumbai Airport Highlights Growing Wildlife Management Challenges

A seven-foot Indian rat snake discovered at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) on February 19 prompted a swift rescue operation and drew attention to the persistent issue of wildlife incursions at Indian airports. The incident, which occurred near Air India Gate No. 3, caused a temporary stir among passengers but resulted in no operational delays or harm. The event underscores a broader, statistically significant trend of increasing human-wildlife encounters at and around the nation's busiest airfields.

While the appearance of a snake inside a terminal is unusual, it points to the larger operational challenge of wildlife management that extends beyond common bird strikes. For an airport like Mumbai, which handled 55.12 million passengers in fiscal year 2024-25, any potential disruption requires immediate and effective protocols. This incident serves as a public reminder of the complex environmental interface that major airports must manage daily to ensure passenger safety and operational integrity.

Incident Details and Response

The non-venomous snake was spotted resting on an air conditioning unit in a passenger area. Airport staff immediately cordoned off the location and initiated a response. The snake was safely captured and removed from the terminal by a professional animal rescue organization. Officials from Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), the operator of CSMIA, managed the situation without impacting flight schedules.

The incident occurred in a part of the airport located in Vile Parle (East), an area where urban infrastructure borders natural habitats. This proximity is a key factor in the frequency of urban wildlife encounters, a phenomenon not unique to Mumbai but particularly pronounced at airports situated within dense metropolitan regions.

A Broader Trend of Wildlife Encounters

The snake incident is a symptom of a much larger and more pressing safety concern for Indian aviation. According to an analysis of Ministry of Civil Aviation data, Mumbai's airport recorded 295 wildlife and animal strikes between 2019 and 2023. This figure is the second-highest in India, trailing only Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, which saw 609 strikes in the same period. These events primarily involve birds but also include terrestrial animals that pose a risk to aircraft during takeoff and landing phases.

Nationally, the problem is escalating. Government data shows that the number of bird-hit incidents across all Indian airports rose to 1,782 in 2025. This represents a significant increase from previous years, with wildlife strikes having more than doubled from 535 in 2019 to over 1,100 in both 2022 and 2023. The trend presents a growing threat to aviation safety, capable of causing significant damage to aircraft engines and control surfaces.

Regulatory Oversight and Mitigation

To address these risks, India's primary aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), mandates a comprehensive Wildlife Hazard Management Programme for all licensed airport operators. This program requires airports to conduct thorough risk assessments, implement habitat management strategies to make the airfield less attractive to wildlife, and conduct regular patrols to detect and disperse animals.

These requirements are supported by longstanding regulations, including Rule 91 of The Aircraft Rules, 1937. This rule prohibits the dumping of garbage and the operation of slaughterhouses within 10 kilometers of an airport's reference point, as such activities are known to attract birds and other animals. The DGCA also issues Aerodrome Advisory Circulars, such as AD AC 06 of 2017 and AD AC 01 of 2022, which provide specific, updated guidance for implementing effective wildlife control measures. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which owns the airport land, is also a key stakeholder in ensuring these standards are met.

Why This Matters

This incident, while resolved without harm, serves as a high-profile example of a persistent operational challenge. For aviation professionals, it highlights the critical importance of robust and adaptable wildlife management plans that account for all types of animal incursions, not just avian threats. As urban development continues to expand around India's major airports, the frequency of such encounters is likely to increase, demanding continuous vigilance and investment in mitigation strategies to uphold safety standards.

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