In response to recent fatal air crashes in South Korea and Azerbaijan, China's Civil Aviation Administration has ramped up safety measures to ensure the continued safety of China's civil aviation sector, including improved bird strike prevention and comprehensive runway safety inspections, said Shu Mingjiang, safety director of the CAAC, at a news conference in Beijing on Friday.

These strengthened measures came after two major accidents that have raised concerns about global aviation safety. On Dec 25, 2024, a passenger plane en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, crashed near Aktau Airport in western Kazakhstan. There were 62 passengers and five crew members on board, with 38 people being killed in the disaster. Some media reported that the initial cause of the tragedy was a bird strike.

On Dec 29, 2024, a Jeju Air flight crashed while landing at Muan International Airport, about 290 km southwest of Seoul, causing 179 fatalities. Because of the estimated landing gear failure, the airplane landed without wheels, skidded off the runway and crashed into the outer wall of the runway, with its fuselage broken apart and catching fire.

Shu explained that the CAAC has been closely monitoring the investigations into these crashes, with a keen focus on the lessons that can be learned. He stressed that China's aviation authorities are working to address the risks highlighted by these accidents, ensuring that necessary changes are swiftly implemented across the industry.

In the wake of these tragedies, the CAAC has outlined a series of immediate actions to enhance flight safety. One of the primary concerns is bird strikes, which have been identified as a significant risk to flight safety.

"We require airports to focus on more accurately studying seasonal bird migration patterns, especially during the winter months. This will allow us to implement more effective bird control measures at the airports," Shu said.

He also emphasized that the CAAC is encouraging the use of advanced technology to detect and prevent bird strikes near airports. "We are also holding airports accountable for their bird management strategies and pushing them to tailor their approaches based on regional bird activity," he added.

The CAAC is also conducting a nationwide inspection of runway safety, focusing particularly on areas such as runway end safety zones and surface irregularities. These inspections are intended to address any vulnerabilities that may exist, ensuring that runways meet the highest safety standards for aircraft operations.

In an effort to improve emergency response capabilities, the CAAC has called for enhanced training and more rigorous emergency drills. The authority aims to ensure that aviation personnel are fully prepared for crisis situations, reducing response time and enhancing coordination during emergencies.

With the busy Spring Festival travel season approaching, which will begin on Jan 14, the CAAC is implementing a special safety inspection campaign. The focus will be on ensuring that airlines and airports are fully prepared for the high volume of passengers expected during this period, while also maintaining strict safety protocols. The CAAC has urged airlines to conduct thorough checks of their fleets and operational procedures to mitigate the risk of accidents during this peak period.