As Americans prepare for vacation travel, travelers may be wondering whether the increased number of drone sightings will affect takeoffs and landings.
Drone sightings have been reported across the northeastern skies, some near or over airports.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects nearly 40 million people to fly during the holiday period, according to the agency’s website.
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Sightings have been reported near airports in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York, according to multiple airports in each state that confirmed the sightings to Fox News Digital.
The FBI is investigating 100 sightings of drone incidents reported in recent weeks. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
“There have been multiple reports of drone sightings near and over New York Stewart International Airport (SWF), a public/military airport in Orange County,” a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson told Fox News Digital. spoke.
In response, SWF closed the airport runway for more than an hour on Friday night, but there was no safety impact on aircraft.
“Right now, flights are not allowed to depart on time, which is impacting the economy,” FOX News contributor and Expert Drone CEO Brett Velicovich told FOX News Digital in an email. .
He added: “If there’s even a sighting, the airport can’t do anything other than shut down traffic. As a safety precaution, (airports) have to do that, but the problem is if (the drone operator) is being tracked. It’s impossible,” he added. They can easily and quickly block traffic and cause massive disruption. ”
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The FBI has received more than 5,000 reports of drone sightings in the past few weeks, including 100 of those incidents, according to the FBI’s website.
Two men were arrested Saturday “after dangerous drone operations near Logan Airport airspace,” according to a Boston Police Department press release.
A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) told FOX News Digital in an email that there were no disruptions to airport operations.
A New York airport closed its runway for an hour after a drone was spotted in the airport’s airspace. (St. Petersburg)
“Our biggest concern with UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) is that they could collide, intentionally or accidentally, with a live aircraft, which could be catastrophic,” the spokesperson said.
It added: “Detection of a UAS in restricted airspace could impact flight operations, cause delays, and potentially result in airport closures.”
A spokesman said law enforcement had detection equipment monitoring the restricted airspace around Logan, and pilots were reporting sightings.
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Richard Levy, an aviation expert and former pilot for a major international airline, told Fox News Digital in an email that the drone sightings “probably have no impact” on vacation travel.
The FAA receives more than 100 reports of drone sightings near airports each month. (St. Petersburg)
“Exception: Unauthorized flight of a drone into controlled airspace near an airport will result in an immediate ‘ground stop’ on all departures and a prohibition on approach and landing until the drone actively leaves the area,” Levy said. said.
Levy said it’s not common for pilots to spot drones.
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“Flight crews (pilots) are focused on instruments and the runway environment. We are not looking for drones. I’m going to do it,” Levy said.
“Distances vary depending on the size of the airport, but drones are generally not allowed to fly within five miles of an airport without FAA approval,” an FAA spokesperson said.
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“We receive more than 100 reports of drone sightings near airports each month, and we want to send a clear message that aircraft, helicopters, and drone operations near airports are dangerous and illegal,” an FAA spokesperson said. .
