Airports step up action against drones
AIRPORTS SAY they are stepping up measures to stop drones grounding flights after the latest incident at Heathrow.
Departures at the west London hub were suspended for around an hour on Tuesday night after a drone was spotted.
This came three weeks after drone sightings caused chaos at Gatwick in the run-up to Christmas, affecting the travel plans of 140,000 passengers as the runway was closed.
Police have appealed for information to help them trace the owner and operator of the Heathrow drone, and said “the criminal investigation continues”.
Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg and Security Minister Ben Wallace will hold a meeting with airport bosses today to discuss plans to crack down on the problem of drone misuse near airports.
The Department for Transport said the Government is working with the aviation industry to explore technical solutions. A spokesman for the Airport Operators Association, a trade association representing UK airports, said: “In light of events at Gatwick and Heathrow, airports are working together, as well as with Government and the police, to see what lessons can be learnt.
“This includes looking at what technology is available and what deterrent action, such as increased police patrols, can be taken.”
The group is reviewing whether it wants the Government to introduce legislation which would make it mandatory for drones to be fitted with geo-fencing technology to stop them entering nofly zones, such as airports.
Heathrow would not be drawn on what action it is taking to stop drone incursions, but the airport recently said it is investing millions of pounds in equipment to prevent future flight disruption.
The police and Government were criticised during the Gatwick incident by some who felt they were too slow to ground the drones or apprehend their operators. Devices which detect, track and ground drones have been installed at the Sussex airport. The Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Defence System was developed by three UK-based firms and has been seen in use at Gatwick.