Airports ‘stepping up anti-drone measures’

Airports say they are stepping up measures to stop drones grounding flights after the latest incident at Heathrow.

Departures at the London hub were suspended for around an hour on Tuesday 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 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 UK 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.”

Heathrow would not be drawn on what action it is taking to stop drone incursions.”