Flights to a British airport were disrupted after nearby “unauthorised drone activity” caused chaos. Jersey Airport said three flights were diverted back to the UK mainland due to drones flying in the airport’s restricted airspace on Friday evening.
States of Jersey Police has appealed for witnesses following the incident. The force said the first drone report was received at around 8:20pm, with reported activity continuing until approximately 10:30pm.
The police said its officers, alongside Honorary Police, Channel Islands Air Search, Government of Jersey colleagues and Ports of Jersey staff, were all involved in an “extensive response” to the reports. Several searches were carried out in areas across the west of the island.
No drone operator was identified and enquiries are continuing. Inspector Rob McCallum, from Jersey Police, said it was believed “two or three” drones had been in the airport’s restricted airspace.
He added the incident is not believed to be linked to terrorism, the BBC reports. The inspector continued: “From a public safety perspective, any time there’s a drone operating in restricted airspace, it poses a risk to the pilots, passengers and crew. It also causes significant disruption to air travel.”
Flights due to arrive from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Southampton were all diverted amid the disruption. The plane from Gatwick, reportedly operated by easyJet, was eventually able to land at the airport at about 11:45pm. The other two flights were cancelled.
Police say they are “particularly keen” to hear from anyone who was in the St Peter, La Pulente, Watersplash, El Tico, L’Etacq, Jubilee Hill or surrounding areas and saw any drone activity on Friday evening. Anyone who was operating a drone in or around these areas at the time are being urged to contact police.
In an appeal for information, Jersey Police said: “Even if you believe what you saw was insignificant, please let us know. A small piece of information, footage or an observation may help officers establish where the drones were being operated from and identify those responsible.”