United Kingdom expands no-fly zones for drones around airports

The UK will increase the no-fly zone around airports for drones. Where that is currently a radius of one kilometer, it will be a radius of five kilometers around the ends of runways from March 19. A drone also flew at Dublin Airport on Thursday.

Police in the United Kingdom will also be given the power to stop a drone pilot if they believe he or she is breaking the law with a drone, according to The Guardian. The police may also view digital information on the drone to further investigate whether the rules have been violated with the drone. These new powers will take effect sometime after expanding the no-fly zone around airports.

The measures are undoubtedly a result of the drone incident at Gatwick airport last December. According to authorities, a drone flew continuously around the buildings of the airport, causing air traffic to be stopped for more than a day. As a result, 140,000 travelers were hindered. Collected images of the drone have not been released.

After investigation, authorities believe the drone flights were the work of someone who knew the layout of the airport well, perhaps a disgruntled or ex-employee. That knowledge of the area also meant that the pilot could temporarily hide the drone in places where authorities could neither find it nor shoot it down, an anonymous British government source told The Times newspaper.

A police spokeswoman said all options are still being explored regarding the suspect. Police have not disclosed if a suspect is in the picture. The incident happened two months ago.

The Times article goes on to say that “it is believed” that the drone may have been modified or even completely home-built. This is because the plane had no trouble with the geofencing around airports to prevent these kinds of situations. Perhaps the drone had also received adjustments in terms of speed and battery life, there is further speculation.

The news comes at a time when a drone has also been sighted at Dublin Airport. Due to the observation of the drone at the airport is temporary air traffic shut down.