A potentially dangerous drone incident near Ben Gurion Airport was brought to a rapid end after airport security teams detected an unauthorized aircraft entering restricted airspace, prompting a brief suspension of flight activity before police tracked down and detained the operator.
The incident began at approximately 11:40 a.m., when personnel monitoring activity from the airport’s control center spotted a drone heading toward the airport. Within minutes, officials confirmed that it had crossed into the airport’s municipal area. Airport operations, security units, and ground crews immediately coordinated their response, while Ben Gurion Airport police launched a search for the individual controlling the drone.
After the drone entered the municipal zone surrounding the airport, officials ordered a temporary localized halt to flight operations that remained in effect for only a few minutes. During that time, airport control personnel continuously monitored the drone’s movements to ensure the situation remained under control.
Using a combination of sophisticated surveillance technology, observations from ground personnel, and real-time tracking by the airport’s control room, authorities were able to pinpoint the drone’s location and guide police directly to the operator.
Within an hour of the drone first being spotted, police officers located the individual and took him into custody. A preliminary investigation determined that he had been operating the drone to record promotional footage for a construction company.
The Israel Airports Authority reiterated that flying drones without authorization near Ben Gurion Airport poses a serious threat to aviation safety. The authority emphasized that drones are prohibited from operating in restricted airspace unless the necessary permits have been obtained and all legal requirements have been met.
{Matzav.com}
