Laser action welcomed

Government amendments to the Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Bill that ban the shining of lasers at facilities providing air traffic services were welcomed last week by the Airport Operators Association (AOA) and NATS.

The amendments were tabled by aviation minister Baroness Sugg and follow 13 incidents in the past five years of lasers being shone at air traffic control towers at airports across the UK.

AOA chief executive Karen Dee said: “While small in number, these incidents could have serious consequences. Incidents have resulted in, for example, a controller taking an unplanned break leaving their duties temporarily taken over by a colleague.

“With rostering and breaks planned to ensure controllers are fully attentive and alert, having to cover an extra unexpected shift is disruptive and could have safety implications, though thankfully this was not the case in this instance.”

NATS safety director David Harrison said: “We and AOA are pleased to have persuaded the government to make it an offence to shine lasers at air traffic control towers.

“Air traffic controllers are a vital component of aviation safety and they deserve to be protected by the law to carry out their duties, so this is an important step forward.”

www.aoa.org.uk

www.nats.aero

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum