Illegal drone intrusions into UK airport airspace soared by 34.4 per cent in 2018, according to a report.
IFSEC Global says that a report published by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) reveals there were 125 dangerous encounters between aircraft and drones recorded in 2018, compared to 93 and 71 in 2017 and 2016 respectively.
The report also says that nearly a third – 39 – took place at the UK’s busiest gateway London Heathrow Airport while 10 occurred at Manchester Airport.
Just before Christmas, flights were grounded for 36 hours at London Gatwick Airport costing aviation operators millions of pounds due to multiple drone sightings which caused the cancellation of 1,000 flights and 140,000 passengers were affected.
Then in January, Heathrow had to temporarily ground service after a drone was seen flying near to the airfield.
