Which airports have most bird strikes?

Which airports have the most wildlife strikes? Denver International Airport opened in 1995 in the continent's central flyway for migrating birds, according to online news site Denverite. The airport has the most reports in the wildlife strike database with just over 9,000 through the end of 2022.



According to 2026 aviation safety data, Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi, India, currently records some of the highest numbers of bird strikes globally, with incidents surging to over 1,700 annually across Indian hubs. In the United States, large coastal hubs like John F. Kennedy (JFK) in New York and Chicago O'Hare (ORD) consistently report high numbers due to their proximity to migratory flyways and water bodies. While "bird strikes" sound alarming, they are a daily reality managed by 2026 technology, including avian radar and "sonic cannons." Other high-incident locations include Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and London Heathrow (LHR). The high reporting numbers at these specific airports often reflect their massive volume of flight operations—more planes simply mean a higher statistical probability of an encounter. In 2026, airports are increasingly using AI-driven drone deterrents to mitigate these wildlife hazards.

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Every airline has reporting criteria for pilots after a bird strike. Every US airline pilot is required to fill out FAA Form 5200-7 after a bird strike. This report is added to the Wildlife Strike Database, an up-to-date tracking platform used to determine the frequency and location of bird strikes in US airspace.

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