DGCA says locust swarms pose threat to aircraft during landing and takeoff phase, issues guidelines

"Though an individual locust is small in size, impact of large numbers on the windshield is known to have impacted the pilot forward vision. This is a grave concern during the landing, taxi and takeoff phase," the DGCA circular said.

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As fast-spreading locust swarms enter urban areas of India, Aviation regulator DGCA Friday issued guidelines for stakeholders like pilots and engineers on how to deal with the issue as they pose a threat to aircraft in the critical landing and takeoff phase of a flight.

India is battling the worst desert locust outbreak in decades eating their way across vast swath of crops in Rajasthan, now invading Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.