Illegal drone activity at Jersey Airport disrupts flights and cancels medical procedures
Why It MattersUnauthorised drone sightings can close a small island airport's evening operations and cut off its health links, reinforcing counter-drone preparedness as a continuity issue for regional airports.
The Government of Jersey said illegal drone activity disrupted flights at Jersey Airport on Friday and Saturday evenings, after unauthorised drones were reported. Services were cancelled or diverted to other airports, including Paris, and all late evening flights into Jersey were cancelled.
The government said the incident "had consequences beyond flight disruption". Patients who were receiving treatment in England were unable to return home, nine planned clinical procedures were cancelled and one non-emergency air ambulance transfer was aborted.
The investigation is ongoing and additional measures have been put in place, though the government said that for "operational reasons" it could not provide further details of them. Health Minister Tom Binet called the drone interference "absolutely disgusting", citing "not just the disruption, but the health implications" and saying that an emergency while the drones were operating would have had a real effect.
Officials asked islanders to "remain vigilant" and to report any further drone sightings to the States of Jersey Police immediately. The government and its partners are also reviewing what more can be done to ensure Jersey is as well prepared as possible for any future incidents.
