The key facts

  • Second night in a row: all evening flights into Jersey cancelled due to drones
  • Jersey Police are investigating the incidents; no link to terrorism is suspected
  • Passengers and taxi drivers complain about repeated disruption

For the second evening in a row

On Saturday, 31 October, at 20:05 Jersey Airport announced that it was experiencing disruption affecting inbound flights due to new drone activity near the airfield. As BBC News reports, all late evening flights into Jersey were cancelled — for the second evening in a row, after flights had also been interrupted by drones the previous night. Jersey Police Inspector Rob MacCallum said that, according to available information, 'two or three' drones had entered restricted airspace, but they are not being linked to terrorism. Jersey Police are investigating the incidents, and officers have appealed to anyone with information about those responsible to come forward.

Reaction of the authorities and those affected

Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, said that flying a drone near an airport is 'not a prank and not a harmless hobby', and issued a warning to those responsible: 'if you are identified, you should expect to face the full force of the law.' Among those affected are passengers and airport staff. Pacific Basirwe was waiting for his wife and young son, who were flying in from London Heathrow, and described the situation as frustrating, adding that this 'needs to be regulated and those responsible should be prosecuted', and that without further action the offenders will continue. Taxi driver Richard De La Haye, with more than 40 years of experience, said the disruption hits drivers' earnings: they have to wait for hours at the airport without knowing whether flights will arrive — if they leave, arriving passengers are left without cars, and if they stay, they may wait two hours for nothing.

What is known and what is not

As of the BBC's publication, it is not known who is behind the drone flights or whether anyone has been arrested; police are only appealing for witnesses. It has also not been reported when the airport will be able to return to its normal schedule. For residents and visitors of Jersey, the practical implication of the situation is the risk of cancellations and delays to evening flights for the second evening in a row, which has already affected passengers on inbound flights and taxi drivers waiting at the terminal.

Entrance to Jersey Airport at night, featuring a revolving door and a sign displaying opening hours. The covered drop-off area and roadway are visible alongside the terminal entrance.
Image caption,

The drone activity saw all late evening flights into Jersey cancelled

Pacific is standing outside a building at night, wearing a zip-up fleece jacket. The building's illuminated entrance and covered walkway are visible in the background.
Image caption,

Pacific Basirwe was waiting for his family to fly in from Heathrow before their flight was cancelled because of the disruption

Richard is seated in the driver's seat of a parked car at night, photographed through the open side window. The car's interior is softly lit, with the steering wheel and dashboard partially visible.
Image caption,

Richard De La Haye said the last couple of nights have been difficult

A picture of Jersey Airport taken from above looking down at the airport. There is a number of vehicles parked around the area.A computer generated version of what the departure lounge is likely to look like once complete. It shows a new mezzanine floor and modern style seating.