Following yesterday’s incident at V.C. Bird International Airport, where a dog briefly delayed a British Airways landing, aviation specialist Eugene Kaseba Silcott is urging the public to keep the matter in perspective.
Antigua.news was the first to report the incident.
Silcott said too many people “tend to blow these situations out of proportion and act as if such incidents are exclusive to Antigua,” when in fact they occur around the world.
He pointed to recent examples: in April, a JetBlue flight at New York’s JFK Airport was forced to go around because of a dog on the runway, and in June, a similar incident took place at Pune Airport in India.
“These examples highlight that such incidents are not unique to Antigua,” he explained. “Stray animals and birds pose risks to aircraft in many parts of the world.”
He further reminded the public that go-arounds the maneuver where an aircraft aborts its landing to avoid a collision are a standard safety procedure in aviation.
“Whether it’s a British Airways Boeing 777 or a private pilot flying a Cessna 172, air traffic control regularly issues go-around instructions for various reasons, including the presence of stray animals on the runway,” Silcott said. “This is a maneuver that we all understand and respect.”
Silcott added that keeping “a broader perspective” will help the public better appreciate “the complexities and challenges faced by air traffic control and aviation professionals worldwide.”
Very true!
At many UK airports, people are employed just to drive around in a van to scare off birds with a starter pistol!.
We need better control of stray dogs around the airport though. This shouldn’t be happening in the first place.
Glad to hear this was handled safely. People need to understand that a go-around is standard procedure, not a crisis.
What is your issue then…..Why issue statement. Sometimes people dont need to justify anything. The dog was on the runway. And who cares if it happens other places…BLA BLA BLA
People quick fu mek noise like Antigua alone have dog pon runway. The man right it happen a JFK, it happen a India, so why we shame?
Instead a dragging down the country, people should appreciate that the safety systems work. Dog move, plane land, everybody safe. End of story.
Eugene thanks for the input and letting them know this happens everywhere
Yes, it caused a delay, but it’s better to delay than risk a major accident. Kudos to the team for managing it well.
Still, authorities need fi step up and deal with stray animal problem round the airport. Even if it common elsewhere, we cyan just ignore it.
What is your point really tho
Antigua small, so when little thing happen it sound big. But truth is, this kinda ting normal in aviation worldwide