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New Powers Could Help Tackle Drones Closing Airports

Gatwick Airport (Photo: © Gatwick Airport)

After 140,000 passengers were said to have been affected by Gatwick Airport suspending flights because of reported drone sightings in December 2018, Parliament will discuss a new proposed law today, to give police greater powers to tackle drone users, or search for the unmanned aircraft.

Proposals would allow officers to down drones, issue fines in many circumstances, and conduct searches on suspicion of drone possession.

It's possible that early police action could help prevent a repeat of 2018's drone sightings at Gatwick, which brought operations to a halt for two days.

After second reading of the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill, it will still be subject to possible further debate and amendments.

You can read the whole bill, in its present form, here (Schedule 8 contains powers about tackling drones).

 

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