The escalating use of drones and laser pointers has emerged as a significant and perilous challenge for Spanish airports, with a staggering 1,700 incidents recorded over the past four years. The implications of these incidents extend beyond mere inconvenience, posing a severe threat to flights.
The State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) has revealed that since 2019, a total of 1,728 incidents (more than one a day) involving drones and laser pointers have been documented. Among these, 412 incidents involved remote-controlled ones, none of which resulted in any accidents.
Nevertheless, on eight occasions, the presence of drones has led to significant disruptions in airport operations, necessitating the temporary closure of air traffic. Major airports, including those in Madrid, Fuerteventura, Ibiza, Jerez, and Zaragoza, have all had to divert flights because of incidents like these.
Conversely, laser pointer-related issues have reached a staggering 1,316 incidents, although they have yet to cause any operational disruptions. According to AESA, all laser pointer attacks during aircraft operations at various AENA airports have originated from outside the airport premises.
AESA has disclosed these alarming statistics in response to inquiries from Jon Iñarritu, a representative of the EH Bildu party, as reported by El Norte de Castilla.
The gravity of these incidents underlines the urgent need for enhanced measures and regulations to mitigate the risks associated with the misuse of drones and laser pointers close to aviation facilities, to ensure the safety and integrity of air travel in the face of evolving threats.
