Gimhae Airport is at the center of concerns regarding bird collisions as new alternative migratory bird habitats are being established nearby. The construction of new bridges to alleviate traffic congestion across the Nakdong River necessitates the creation of these habitats to compensate for the destruction of critical bird habitats. Environmental authorities have mandated the city of Busan to establish separate feeding and resting grounds for migratory birds as part of the final administrative procedures for the bridge constructions set to end in August 2024.

The planned alternative habitats will cover a total area of approximately 2.53 million square meters across six sites around the Nakdong River’s estuary, including the Dajeo Ecological Park and Samrak Ecological Park. However, these habitats are located uncomfortably close to Gimhae Airport, about 2 to 5 kilometers away in various directions. Experts worry this proximity could significantly impact the paths migratory birds take, potentially leading them to conflict with aircraft flight paths. Such a situation poses a serious risk to flight safety, which is non-negotiable according to aviation safety laws.

Local experts, including Professor Choi In-chan of Shilla University, warn that the establishment of these habitats could increase the likelihood of birds congregating near the airport as they seek food, consequently heightening the risk of bird strikes to planes. Additionally, Park Jung-rok, the head of "Friends of Wetlands and Birds," supports these concerns, indicating a higher probability of altered migratory routes leading birds toward the airport, thus presenting a significant threat to aviation operations at one of Korea's busiest airports, which already records a concerning number of bird strikes annually.