Pilots call for action over 'laser blinding' at Heathrow
The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) have called for action to tackle the growing problem of powerful lasers being directed at aircraft.
According to London24.com, Heathrow Airport is a 'hotspot' but Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool airports are also frequently targeted. More than 1,500 incidents took place last year, compared to just three in 2004.
These incidents involve lasers being shone into the cockpit, often from as far as kilometre away. Typically, this occurs during take-off or landing, and causes a "blinding flash" which can last for minutes.
Pilots warn that the practice is playing "Russian roulette" with the lives of passengers, and are now calling for prison sentences for offenders.
Balpa general secretary Jim McAuslan said: "We want regulations over the sale of high powered lasers strengthened, more prosecutions and action taken through trading standards. Lasers can be bought easily and cheaply. The government should convene a cross-agency summit to discuses how to tackle this problem."
The Guardian reports that there were 153 incidents at Heathrow in 2011. The second most affected airport was Manchester with 148 incidents, Birmingham had 143 and Glasgow 107. Liverpool's John Lennon Airport had 90.
Since 2010, shining a laser or light an aircraft has been a specific criminal offence. A Civil Aviation Association (CAA) spokesman told The Guardian: "We are currently seeing a global surge in incidents of lasers being deliberately shone at aircraft on final approach to airports.
"The aviation industry and the police are doing everything possible to combat the problem and we strongly urge anyone who sees a laser being shone in the night sky near an airport to contact the police immediately."
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