DRONE CHAOS AT BRITAIN’S GATWICK AIRPORT

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DRONE CHAOS AT BRITAINS GATWICK AIRPORT
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• Disruption at one of the UKs busiest airports,
  Gatwick, over the festive period, was caused by
  multiple drone sightings which led to a complete
  shutdown of flights both in and outbound.
  Approximately 1,000 flights were affected,
  causing chaos, misery and disappointment for
  thousands of passengers. The chaos was compounded
  by the incident happening so close to the run up
  to Christmas the airport was forced to close
  between December 19 and 21st, and few could have
  imagined what problems such a careless act could
  create for so many people.
• These incidents have given the British Government
  multiple headaches, to say the least, and they
  quickly began working on a package of measures to
  help combat the threat of drones in UK airspaces,
  some of which are detailed below

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• Exclusion zone extensions
• Airport exclusion zones have now been extended to
  approximately a 5km radius, or 3.1 miles, and
  extra extensions have been applied to runway
  ends.
• Registration for drone users
• Government ministers have since announced that
  those individuals operating drones weighing
  between 250g and 20kg, must register their UAVs
  and take an online drone pilot competency test.

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• New powers for the police
• Minor drone offences are now punishable with a
  fixed penalty notice that the police have been
  given the authority to issue, ensuring immediate
  and effective enforcement of the new drone rules.
  Minor offences could range from an individual not
  complying with the police when instructed to land
  their drone, to not showing their registration to
  operate a drone, and could earn the accused a
  100 fine.

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• Who was operating the drone(s)?
• A couple were arrested on suspicion of being
  linked to the incident at Gatwick airport, but
  were later released without charge, and no
  further arrests have been made.
• Police are continuing to question and investigate
  potential sightings of drones at the airport,
  made by 115 witnesses, some of which were staff
  working at the airport, police officers and even
  pilots.
• The Transport Secretary for the UK, Chris
  Grayling, condemned the illegal flying of the
  drone and described it as deliberate,
  irresponsible and calculated, as well as illegal.

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• He went on to say that the Ministry of Defence
  would remain on standby until such time as the
  threat had passed or was no longer significant,
  as he tried to reassure MPs that the UKs
  national airports are doing everything in their
  power to be prepared for a repeat of the
  incident.
• How real is the threat to airports from drone
  attacks?
• MPs involved in the Commons Defence Committee
  have given the stark warning that a Jihadist or
  other such terrorist organisation could easily
  use drones to launch a vicious and deadly attack
  at any number of the UKs airports. Purchasing a
  simple device online is simple for most, and this
  could be flown with malicious intent, such as
  into the engine intakes of a plane that has just
  taken off or is about to land.

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• However, while this alleged drone incident caused
  travel chaos, thankfully nobody was harmed and
  the airport was able to reopen a few days later.
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