The increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones within the vicinity of the Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial) has become a safety threat for aircraft landing and taking off from the airport. Cial authorities said that some individuals, agencies and video production houses are operating drones in the district without obtaining prior permission from the authorities. Many such cases were being reported by the aircraft pilots who spotted the presence of drones while approaching the airport for landing. The airport operator approached the police seeking action against those operating drones without acquiring permission from the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA).
Cial has issued a notice regarding the illegal flying of drone/UAVs within a three kilometre perimeter of the airport. Cial has prepared a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the surveillance and detection of drones flying around the airport. The decision was taken at the annual aerodrome committee meeting held recently.
The meeting convened by the district collector has sought opinion from various stakeholders, including officials of central industrial security force, DGCA and air traffic control (ATC), related to airport operations and safety. Sources said that ATC has raised the complaints by several pilots about the sightings of drones flying near the flight path dangerously.
“The recent drone attack at the Indian Air force base in Jammu has prompted regulatory authorities to invoke the existing guidelines under the Unmanned Aircraft System Rules 2021 issued by the ministry of civil aviation, which restricts the flying of drones around an airport. As per the rules, the flying of any type of drone within a 3 km area from the perimeter wall of the airport is banned. The drone operator has to take prior permission from the authorities, including DGCA, for flying the drone beyond that area. Flying an unmanned aircraft over no operation area will attract a penalty of Rs 50,000. The main issue is the lack of awareness among the public about the security challenges and dangers posed by drones,” said Cial spokesperson.
Another issue raised by the pilots was the use of laser lights and high beam spotlights which can imperil the aircraft, because it can disorient the pilot on takeoff or landing by making them temporarily blinded. These lights are flashed into the sky at night during celebrations or public events and could risk the safety of aircraft. “The airport operator has approached the police to issue a warning,” said a Cial statement.
