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Dublin Airport resumes flights after suspension due to 'illegal drone activity'

The operator DAA said flights were stopped for 30 minutes on Tuesday night
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

20.58 21 Feb 2023


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Dublin Airport resumes flights...

Dublin Airport resumes flights after suspension due to 'illegal drone activity'

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

20.58 21 Feb 2023


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Flight operations have resumed at Dublin Airport, after being suspended earlier due to drone activity in the vicinity of the airport.

The operator DAA said flights were stopped between 8:22pm and 8.52pm on Tuesday, "in line with our safety protocols."

It said An Garda Síochána was advised immediately, and there were no flight diversions.

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"On the day in which a second person in two weeks has been charged with flying a drone near Dublin Airport, we would remind drone users that it is illegal to fly a drone within 5km of an Irish airport," the DAA said in a statement.

"Severe punishments must follow for anyone found guilty and the State must consider counter-drone technology for use by the Department of Defence to take down drones that threaten passengers and aircraft activity in such a reckless manner," the DAA added.

Irish carrier Ryanair has called on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to "do something  - anything - to protect Ireland's main airport from these drone disruptions."

A Ryanair spokesperson said: "It is unacceptable that more Ryanair flights and hundreds of passengers have again suffered disruptions and delays as Dublin Airport closed for a fifth time in four weeks due to Transport Minister  Eamon Ryan's failure to take any action to prevent drone disruptions at Dublin Airport.

"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".

This follows on from a similar incident two weeks ago, which resulted in one person being arrested.

Minister Ryan has previously said anyone flying a drone near the airport is "taking a huge risk with their own liberty."

"We're working with the airport because it is against the law," he said.

"It is causing huge disruption and whatever means of supporting the airport, we are going to have to make sure they are not disrupting flights."

Main image: Split images show the exterior of Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport, and passengers walking to their gates

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