Nine flight obstructions caused by drones have been reported at Leipzig/Halle and Dresden Airports this year. This is a slight increase compared to the previous year, according to the drone report published by Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS). A total of 144 obstructions caused by drones were reported across Germany up to August (113 in the same period last year). Frankfurt/Main Airport was the most frequently affected (35).
The report does not reveal who is flying the drones. In many cases, hobby pilots are likely to be the cause. Most recently, drone incidents at Copenhagen Airport caused a stir. The Danish authorities have not ruled out a connection with provocations from Russia.
Prison sentences of up to ten years
According to German air traffic control, drone flights in the vicinity of airports are usually reported by pilots of aircraft taking off or landing, but are also observed from the tower of the respective airport. If necessary, take-offs and landings must be stopped as a precaution. Drone flights are prohibited by law within a radius of 1.5 kilometers around airports and can be punished with prison sentences of up to ten years, according to air traffic control.
The Saxon air supervisory authority and the operator of the two airports did not have their own figures.
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