Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has called on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to resign if he can't fix drone activity at Dublin Airport, after flights were suspended for a sixth time in six weeks.
Dublin Airport halted flights for 30 minutes again this Thursday evening (March 2) due to a drone disruption, causing multiple diversions and delays to passengers.
"Dublin Airport is the only major European airport that has been repeatedly closed by drones," Ryanair said in a statement following the latest disruption.
"Despite these repeated closures Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has failed to do anything to prevent Ireland’s main airport from being closed by drones," the airline said.
Mr O' Leary stressed that major airports like Heathrow, Charles De Gaulle and Schiphol all have effective anti-drone measures which prevent closures.
"Yet Dublin Airport has been closed six times in the last six weeks, while our Transport Minister is holding “meetings”. Since his “meetings” aren’t effective, maybe he should take some action instead?" Mr O' Leary said.
Following the suspension of flights which subsequently led to three flights being diverted, Dublin Airport said: "Drones causing disruptions at airports and events is a state wide issue that needs to be tackled with new legislation, a State agency responsible for managing counter drone technology and harsher sentences."
Fights resumed 32 minutes after they were suspended due to the drone activity, which affected three Ryanair flights.
Mr O’ Leary said: “Eamon Ryan has failed to take any effective action to protect Dublin Airport and his strategy of holding “meetings” is useless. As always Minister Ryan promises “stronger measures” but delivers nothing."
The Kanturk Businessman stressed that Minister Ryan should explain why other European airports have effective drone measures in place but Dublin Airport keeps being closed.
"Sadly, our Transport Minister is all talk and no action when it comes to drone closures. As Transport Minister he should now fix this issue or resign and let somebody more effective do the job," Mr O'Leary added.
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