LHR Subjected to More Laser Attacks Than Any Other UK Facility

151 laser incidents were reported at LHR this year. Those within the industry have called for harsh sanctions against offenders found to be endangering pilots and their craft.

It has been reported that pilots at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) have been subjected to nearly twice as many laser attacks as those using any other UK facility within the past year.

The country’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the body responsible for regulating all aspects of civil aviation within the UK, has reported that there were 151 laser incidents at LHR in the last year. This figure is an increase on the 121 incidents reported during the previous year.

The body also reports that there were a total of 83 laser attacks on pilots at Glasgow Airport (GLA) in 2016. This is nearly double the figure from the previous year.

However, the total number of laser attacks in 2016 was 1,258, down from 1,439 the year before.

Steve Landells, a specialist in flight safety at the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA), told the Evening Standard that laser attacks on aircraft are “incredibly dangerous.” “The power of these devices is increasing and we’re concerned that, if left to escalate without significant intervention, we could see a serious incident happen in the near future,” he added.

Andrew Haines, the CAA’s chief executive, echoed Landells’ sentiment. He has called for the arrest of anyone found to be carrying laser pointers, even if they aren’t using the devices.

In a statement to the Press Association last summer, as quoted by the paper, Haines said, “Why does Joe Bloggs [John Doe] walking down the street need a laser that can pop a balloon at 50 miles, that can cause permanent damage to a pilot?”

The UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) said that it is prepared to introduce heavy fines or even jail time for those who shine lasers at pilots.

At present, it is already a criminal offense to blind a pilot with a laser, with offenders liable to be charged up to £2,500 ($3,110) for endangering an aircraft.

[Photo: Shutterstock]