Jersey Airport experienced a second evening of disruption on Saturday, 31 October, after further drone activity was reported near the airfield. Four flights were unable to land as scheduled, according to the airport.
An inbound charter flight from Madeira was diverted to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), ITV News reported. Flights from London Gatwick (LGW) and London Heathrow (LHR) were also facing lengthy delays, while Loganair’s 8.30 pm service from Southampton (SOU) was cancelled.
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, Jersey Airport said the disruption had been caused by what it described as “illegal and persistent drone activity” around the airport. The airport added that airlines were arranging alternative travel plans directly with affected passengers.
The disruption came just one day after three inbound aircraft were diverted on Friday evening, 30 October, following reports of drones operating near the airport.
The first report was received by police at around 8.20 pm UTC, with further reports continuing until approximately 10.30 pm UTC. Flights operated by British Airways from Heathrow, Loganair from Southampton (SOU) and easyJet from Gatwick (LGW) were affected. All three aircraft were initially diverted, although one eventually managed to land in Jersey at around 11.45 pm UTC, according to police.
The incidents prompted a multi-agency response involving States of Jersey Police, the Honorary Police, Channel Islands Air Search, Government of Jersey and Ports of Jersey staff. Searches were carried out in several areas in the west of the island, but no drone operators had been identified at the time of the police update.
Jersey Chief Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham described the incidents over the two evenings as deliberate and unlawful. Farnham said the government was working with UK authorities and specialist agencies to explore additional operational support, improved detection capabilities and counter-drone technology.