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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Justin Kelly & Sophie Collins & Kim O'Leary

Ryanair calls for Government action after 'unacceptable' disruptions at Dublin Airport caused by drones

Ryanair has called for the Government to take action over disruption at Dublin Airport caused by drone activity close to the runway.

A number of flights had to be diverted away from Dublin Airport over the past two days after a drone was spotted close to the runway. Dublin Airport confirmed a second day of disruption on Saturday afternoon, after two drone sightings were confirmed shortly after 2pm this afternoon, leading to flight suspensions.

It is illegal to fly drones within a 5 kilometre radius of any airport in Ireland. Ryanair later responded to the delays and said: “It is unacceptable that for two days in a row, passengers and flights to/from Dublin were disrupted by apparent drone activity.

Read more: Dublin Airport suspends flights following two further drone sightings

“Yesterday four Ryanair aircraft and over 700 passengers had their flights diverted to Shannon and Belfast, and again today another four flights and 700 passengers were diverted with thousands more having their flights delayed. Such drone disruptions at Ireland’s main airport are unacceptable.

"We are calling on Minister Ryan to take urgent action to protect the country’s main airport from repeated disruptions from illegal drone activity.”

A daa spokesperson told Dublin Live: "Flight operations at Dublin Airport were suspended for safety reasons this afternoon following two confirmed drone sightings on the airfield. The safety and security of airport users is daa’s key priority at all times and staff at Dublin Airport and An Garda Síochana remain vigilant in relation to drone activity in the vicinity of the airport.”

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