Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Incheon Airport deploys laser devices to keep birds away from runways
Incheon International Airport has deployed four bird-control laser devices, one for each of its four runways.
The airport began using them on October 15 and announced the move on October 18.
The devices use lasers to deter birds from entering areas used by aircraft and were developed by a South Korean company.
Their stated range is 2 km, compared with 60 metres for the shotguns previously used, and they are designed to be visible at night.
The airport plans to use the lasers to manage large flocks of migratory birds this winter, when bird activity can threaten flight safety.
It also plans to install a bird-detection radar in 2028, which is intended to monitor bird movements within 13 km of the airport.
Incheon International Airport has deployed four laser devices to keep birds away from its four runways.
The devices were placed on the runways on October 15, one per runway.
The airport operator says the lasers can deter birds within a range of 2,000 metres, compared with 60 metres for existing shotguns.
The equipment is designed to be visible at night and useful around sunrise and sunset, when bird activity is high.
The airport plans to use the devices to control large flocks of migratory birds during the coming winter and is planning to introduce bird-detection radar in 2028.
- Who
- Incheon International Airport Corporation deployed the devices.
- What
- It placed four laser devices to deter birds near the airport’s runways.
- When
- The devices were deployed on October 15; the announcement was made on October 18, 2026.
- Where
- Incheon International Airport, with one device assigned to each of its four runways.
- Why
- To prevent birds from entering aircraft flight areas and strengthen flight safety.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Incheon International Airport Corporation deployed one bird-control laser device on each of the airport’s four runways.
The airport corporation announced the deployment.
The airport corporation plans to introduce radar to monitor bird movements within 13 kilometres of the airport.
- Devices deployed
- 4 laser devices, one per runway
- Laser control range
- 2,000 metres
- Existing shotgun range
- 60 metres
- Planned radar coverage
- Bird movements within a 13-kilometre radius
- Planned radar introduction
- 2028
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What people are saying
We expect Incheon Airport’s bird-control capabilities to improve significantly.
In 2028, we also plan to introduce bird-detection radar capable of monitoring bird movements within a 13-kilometre radius of the airport.