BFF-37 India warns airlines of locust swarm flight risk

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India warns airlines of locust swarm flight risk

NEW DELHI, May 29, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – India warned airlines Friday
that passenger flights could be disrupted and planes damaged by the
unprecedented locust swarms currently plaguing large stretches of the
country.

The worst insect invasion in nearly three decades has already
caused massive damage to seasonal crops, crippling Indian farmers
struggling with the impact of a months-long national coronavirus
lockdown.

But the swarms have now become so large that the civil aviation
ministry said they “pose a threat to aircraft in the critical landing
and take off phase of the flight.”

“Though an individual locust is small in size, impact of large
numbers on the windshield is known to have impacted the pilot forward
vision,” said an advisory from the ministry.

The ministry urged airlines to avoid any swarms, which had the
potential to enter air inlets and damage flight instruments.

Experts warn the locust plague could get worse with more insects
expected to reach India from the Horn of Africa next month.

BSS/AFP/MRU/2230hrs