KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 -- The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) said it recorded 648 bird strikes on aircraft in Malaysia in 2024, but this remains under control and within safety levels despite a rise from the previous year.

CAAM chief executive officer Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud said airports near coasts, wetlands, or agricultural areas are more vulnerable to bird strikes due to their proximity to bird habitat.

"Alor Star's Sultan Abdul Halim Airport is surrounded by paddy fields, where birds like sparrows and warblers congregate. The abundance of food, like insects and grains, attracts these birds, increasing the risk of bird strikes.

"KLIA's proximity to the Paya Indah Wetlands makes it a common site for migratory bird ...