Prevent Turtles From 'Infiltrating' The Runway, Narita Airport Sets Trap Nets

Narita Airport, Japan. (Wikimedia Commons/PSnyan)

JAKARTA - Traps to prevent turtles from infiltrating the runway at Narita Airport near Tokyo, Japan were installed last Wednesday in its retention pond, to avoid a repeat of the 2021 incident in which a disturbance by one of the reptiles delayed departure.

A floating trap measuring about 1 square meter was placed in the airport retention pond beside the runway, as many pond sliders turtles, an invasive species of turtle, appear to breed in the waters nearby.

The traps take advantage of the turtle's tendency to bask. If a tortoise rises to the surface of the water and climbs over a structure, it is likely to fall into a trap net, according to Narita International Airport Corp.

International airport operators hope the traps will prevent the turtles from entering the 4,000-meter runway and lead to safe operations. It said separate measures, including setting up cage traps, would also continue into October.

"There could be hundreds of pond slinders turtles in the area, and we'll see what's effective," said Satoshi Shirai of the company's Airfield Maintenance Department, according to Kyodo News April 22.

The traps were set after the September 2021 incident, in which a turtle measuring about 30 centimeters walked onto the airport runway. Luckily, he was found by a pilot and later caught by airport staff.

As a result of the turtle's 'violation', Japan's Narita Airport Runway A at that time had to be closed for 12 minutes. It didn't stop there, the closure also delayed five flights for a maximum of 15 minutes.

It is understood that All Nippon Airways' specially designed turtle flight to Naha in Okinawa Prefecture was among the services affected. The coincidence garnered attention on social media, and there is speculation as to whether the tortoise was trying to wish the plane a safe journey.