“Pilots are advised to pay special attention when flying below 2,000’ (about 600 metres) because of possible abnormal bird activity (flocks of 5 to 20) over mainland Portugal”, the ANAC said in a statemet sent to Lusa News Agency.


The Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft Accidents criticised an event of this nature – 70,000 pigeons released from a single point.


Álvaro Neves said this event should “never have been authorised without coordinating and assessing potential risks that these birds could cause to civil aircraft and neighbouring aerodromes, with the civil aviation authorities”.


The president of the pigeon fanciers’ club said the race offered no risks to aviation.