Aer Lingus is calling for immediate measures to tackle drone disturbances at Dublin Airport.
Flights were suspended at the airport for the fifth time in four weeks yesterday evening due to “illegal drone activity” in the area.
Ryanair has blamed the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan for the disturbances, accusing him of being ‘asleep on the job’ over the issue.
Due to illegal drone activity in the vicinity of Dublin Airport, all flight operations are currently suspended. Further updates will follow…
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) February 21, 2023
This morning, meanwhile, Aer Lingus labelled the disruption “unacceptable”.
“It is very concerning that repeated incidents of drone activity are taking place in Dublin Airport,” it said.
“The severe disruption imposed on passengers, airlines and other stakeholders is unacceptable and measures to address the drone issue must be now expedited in order to prevent any further recurrence of this type of disruption.”
It noted that that the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) State Plan for Aviation Safety contains actions that could address the issue – and now needs to be progressed “as a matter of urgency”.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan at Leinster House, 17-12-2022. Image: Sasko Lazorov/RollingNewsOn Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Minister Ryan said he would meet with airport operator DAA today to discuss the disruption.
He said his department is doing everything it can to tackle the problem – noting that the strongest response is to ensure people are prosecuted.
“As I understand it there are a number of arrests coming,” he said.
“This is a really serious issue. It is actually an issue that threatens people’s lives because if you had a incidence where a drone, let’s say, went into an engine, that could bring down a plane.”
Due to illegal drone activity in the vicinity of Dublin Airport, all flight operations are currently suspended. Further updates will follow…
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) February 21, 2023
In a statement last night, Ryanair called on Minister to “do something - anything - to protect Ireland’s main airport from these drone disruptions”.
A Ryanair spokesperson said: “As always, Minister Ryan promises ‘stronger enforcement measures’ but delivers nothing.”
“Minister Ryan should explain why other EU Airports have effective drone prevention measures in place, but Dublin keeps being disrupted while he is asleep on the job.
“Sadly, our Transport Minister is all talk and no action when it comes to drone disruptions.”
Flight operations were suspended for 30 minutes at Dublin Airport last night due to the drone incident.
