Jersey Airport hit by drone chaos for second night as flights cancel
Unauthorised drones disrupted Jersey Airport for a second consecutive night, forcing flight cancellations and sparking frustration among travellers.
Travellers at Jersey Airport are furious after unauthorised drone activity forced the cancellation of inbound flights for the second night in a row, according to the BBC [2]. The disruption began on Friday when three flights were diverted, with two ultimately cancelled, as reported by the Mirror [1].
The latest incident occurred on Saturday evening at 20:05, when Jersey Airport confirmed further drone activity in the vicinity of the airfield. This follows a similar episode on Friday night that saw flights from London Heathrow and Southampton grounded, while a service from Gatwick eventually landed after a delay. The Mirror noted that searches across western Jersey failed to locate any drone operators, leaving authorities with more questions than answers [1].
Insp Rob McCallum of States of Jersey Police stated that two or three drones were believed to be involved in Saturday’s disruption. He confirmed that the incidents are not linked to terrorism, but the investigation remains open. The Chief Minister of Jersey, Senator Lyndon Farnham, issued a stern warning to those responsible, declaring that flying drones near an airport is "not a prank or a harmless hobby" and that offenders will face the full weight of the law if identified [2].
Passengers and staff are expressing growing frustration. Pacific Basirwe, waiting for his wife and son from Heathrow, described the situation as "annoying" and called for stricter regulation and prosecution. He told the BBC that without further action, the disruptions would likely continue [2].
Local business owners are also feeling the strain. Richard De La Haye, a taxi driver with over 40 years of experience, described the situation as a "nightmare". He explained that drivers face an impossible choice: wait for potentially stranded passengers or risk leaving them behind. "It's getting silly and I don't know the answer, but it really needs to be resolved," he said [2].
Jersey Police are appealing to the public for information, specifically asking anyone who spotted drone activity in areas such as St Peter, La Pulente, Watersplash, or Jubilee Hill to come forward. The force emphasised the significant impact on airport operations and passenger safety, noting that the drones entered restricted airspace and active flight paths [1]. As the investigation continues, the airport remains a focal point for both operational challenges and public anger.
Sources
This article is based on reporting by the outlets below.
