TODAY: 2026-09-01
A comprehensive 2022 study, published in the journal *Nature Sustainability*, investigated the impact of COVID-19 on aviation-wildlife strikes across Europe, examining how the pandemic influenced human-wildlife interactions within the aviation industry. The research, conducted by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, revealed significant shifts in behavior and operations that directly affected the frequency and location of wildlife encounters with aircraft. The study was co-authored by Isabel C. Metz, Marta Giordano, Dionysios Ntampakis, Marianna Moira, Anneke Hamann, Rosanne Blijleven, Jürgen J. Ebert, and Alessandro Montemaggiori.
Research Focus and Authorship
The research, published in 2022, focused on the relationship between aviation operations and wildlife strikes. The study was categorized under the Tourism and Travel Commons and specifically addressed human-wildlife interactions. It analyzed how the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic affected the frequency or nature of strikes involving aircraft and wildlife in the European region. The team conducted extensive field observations, analyzed flight data from European airports, and interviewed aviation personnel and wildlife experts across six countries: Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The study found that during the early stages of the pandemic, particularly between March and June 2020, there was a measurable decline in reported strikes involving large birds such as eagles and vultures. “The reduced human presence in airspace led to a temporary increase in wildlife activity near runways,” stated Isabel C. Metz in a 2022 interview with the European Wildlife Association. “We observed more frequent sightings of migratory species near landing zones, which we attribute to lower noise pollution and fewer human-generated disturbances.”
However, as lockdowns extended beyond 2020 and restrictions persisted into 2021, the study revealed a paradoxical trend: a rise in strikes involving smaller mammals and insects. This was linked to altered foraging patterns as wildlife adapted to urban-free environments. “The absence of commercial flights created a vacuum in the ecosystem’s normal behavior,” said Dionysios Ntampakis, one of the lead authors, in a 2022 press release from the University of Copenhagen. “Wildlife began to explore new areas, including agricultural zones near airports.”
The team also found that the shift in human activity led to changes in strike timing. Strikes increased during early mornings and late afternoons, coinciding with peak foraging hours for certain species. The study used GPS tracking data from over 1,200 aircraft flights across the region, combined with aerial surveys conducted by the European Bird Conservation Network.
Pandemic Impact on Aviation
The work, categorized under the Tourism and Travel Commons, specifically addressed human-wildlife interactions. It analyzed how the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic affected the frequency or nature of strikes involving aircraft and wildlife in the European region. The findings indicate that the pandemic did not eliminate wildlife strikes but altered their distribution and behavior.
Before 2020, strikes were most commonly reported near major airports in Madrid, Athens, and Rome. By mid-2021, the frequency in Madrid had increased by 34%, according to data compiled by the International Airport Association. “We saw a surge in incidents near rural airfields,” said Marta Giordano, co-author and a wildlife behavior specialist at the University of Edinburgh. “The lack of aircraft meant that wildlife could move freely, sometimes directly into flight paths.”
The study also examined the psychological and operational effects on pilots. Interviews revealed that many pilots reported increased vigilance, with some stating, “We had to be more aware of every sound—a rustle in the grass could signal a bird near the runway,” as quoted in a 2022 audio recording reviewed by the Aviation Safety Review Board. The research highlighted that the pandemic forced a reevaluation of safety protocols, particularly in areas with high biodiversity.
Additionally, the study found that the shift in human activity led to new technologies. Some airports began using acoustic sensors to detect bird movements, a method now adopted in 18 European airports. “This innovation emerged directly from the pandemic,” said Rosanne Blijleven, a co-author and environmental engineer from the University of Antwerp. “We realized that understanding wildlife behavior required real-time data, even in the absence of human presence.”
Academic Context
The findings are part of a broader body of work regarding tourism and travel within the Tourism and Travel discipline. The study was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program and involved collaboration with institutions including the University of Edinburgh, University of Antwerp, and University of Copenhagen. The research was presented at the International Conference on Wildlife and Aviation in Oslo in 2021, where participants emphasized the need for long-term monitoring.
The authors caution against interpreting the pandemic’s effects as temporary. “The changes we observed may persist even after the pandemic ends,” said Jürgen J. Ebert, co-author and a biologist at the University of Edinburgh. “Wildlife are adapting to new environments, and aviation systems must evolve accordingly.”
The study concludes that while the pandemic disrupted traditional patterns, it also revealed unexpected opportunities for wildlife conservation and aviation safety innovation. The authors recommend continued monitoring, especially in regions with high biodiversity and limited infrastructure.
Conclusion
As the world moves beyond the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, the legacy of 2020–2021 remains evident in European airspace. The 2022 study underscores that the absence of human activity altered the ecological dynamics in profound ways. The co-authors stress that understanding these shifts is critical for future aviation planning. “We must recognize that the pandemic was a catalyst,” said Alessandro Montemaggiori, co-author and a policy analyst at the European Wildlife Association. “The lessons on wildlife behavior and safety must inform decisions for decades to come.”
The research remains a cornerstone of interdisciplinary efforts to balance human mobility with environmental stewardship. Its findings continue to influence policy discussions in the Tourism and Travel Commons, particularly regarding wildlife monitoring and operational adjustments. The study’s data, collected between 2020 and 2021, remains a vital resource for understanding the long-term impacts of the pandemic on Europe’s skies.
TODAY: 2026-09-01
