In the next five to 10 years, Europe will see the safe, secure and efficient integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – also referred to as drones – into the airspace, where they will be operated alongside manned aircraft, such as in the airport environment. This necessitates the introduction of additional specific rules and procedures for UAS operations and the organisations involved in those operations, as well as a high degree of automation and digitalisation. This ‘U-space’ is a combination of U-space services, volumes of airspace and information exchange to support the air traffic management (ATM) of UAS and mitigate the risks of collision between the different UAS, as well as between UAS and manned aircraft in the shared U-space airspace.

In the next five to 10 years, Europe will see the safe, secure and efficient integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the airspace, where they will be operated alongside manned aircraft”

The European Union (EU) has adopted common European rules that are applicable to drones and are found in Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the rules and procedures for the operation of UAS, and Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on UAS and third-country operators of UAS. The rules aim to strike a balance between the opportunities offered by drones and the necessary obligations on drone manufacturers and operators, in terms of safety, respect for privacy, the environment, protection against noise and public security. The new rules ensure that drone operators – whether for recreational or professional use – will have a clear understanding of what is and is not allowed.

However, drones have evolved into a constant threat at airports in the last few years, and the defined rules cannot always prevent unintentional operations near aerodromes, nor obviously those for intentional or malicious purposes.

Zurich Airport (ZRH) is facing around two to three incidents per month where an unauthorised drone is seen, and a report is made to airport security or the police. While, fortunately, there has not been a major incident with long interruptions of traffic, other examples in Europe and worldwide highlight the constant threat due to drone sightings and the evolving situation – the major events at Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) and Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in February and March 2020, respectively, are some such examples. Additionally, after having to accommodate VIP movements and state aircraft during the annual World Economic Forum, which was hosted in Davos in January 2021, Zurich Airport requires a sensitive mindset with respect to possible drone incidents and needs to know how to counter them effectively. Each airport will have a certain attentiveness to this nowadays.

At the beginning of most drone events, one is not aware if the drone is operated by a pilot motivated by negligence, gross negligence or even criminal intent”

At the beginning of most drone events, one is not aware if the drone is operated by a pilot motivated by negligence, gross negligence or even criminal intent. While the motive may differ substantially, the response triggered by the aviation community at airports is often similar and can result in major consequences for its operations. Information might be scarce and difficult to verify. The location of the drone might be hard to determine. New contradictory reports could come in. Time is running fast to react.

This ambiguity about a situation is a challenging task which needs to be solved as soon as possible in order to avoid long airport disruptions, flight cancellations and delays or, in the worst case, prevent a mid-air collision between the drone and a departing or landing aircraft.

A drone incident can combine aviation safety and security aspects or morph from one to the other. For this reason, a holistic approach is needed, encompassing both safety and security considerations.

In practice, it is very challenging to identify a drone and even more difficult to ascertain the motivation and intent of the perpetrator/ offender behind the incident. For this reason, it is necessary to consider all drone incident offender categories in all scenarios, to be developed as part of the risk assessment. Furthermore, it must be ensured that different types of motivations are considered as a possibility in the threat assessment during an incident, based on all available information. In accordance with the overall objective, all relevant actors should respond appropriately and quickly to mitigate or even neutralise the developing threat.

The preparation of an airport’s drone incident management is a multi-layered set of measures and activities. The key to being the most effective, however, is to start out by forming a joint working group with all stakeholders”

The preparation of an airport’s drone incident management is a multi-layered set of measures and activities. The key to being the most effective, however, is to start out by forming a joint working group with all stakeholders, e.g. law enforcement, air operators, airport steering, air traffic control (ATC) etc. This ensures the best understanding of the issue, most likely reflects all relevant aspects and provides a robust decision-making process that is needed in time-critical situations during an incident.

Throughout 2020, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) worked with the Counter-UAS Task Force that it had formed to work on material to help aerodromes prepare for the misuse of drones in their surroundings. The task force combined expertise and knowledge from all relevant stakeholders – airports, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), air traffic control officers (ATCOs), air operators, DG HOME and DG MOVE, as well as law enforcement authorities – and provided an exceptional platform of interdisciplinary work to find effective solutions for the complex counter UAS problem.

Airports were represented in this group by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe and the member airports of AENA Spain, Frankfurt, Fraport Greece, Milan, Munich, Paris/ Groupe ADP and Zurich to provide first-hand industry experience and specific airport examples in the discussion.

The work results were compiled in a manual separated in three parts:

• Part 1: Drone Incident Management at Aerodromes – the challenge of unauthorised drones in the surroundings of aerodromes
• Part 2: Drone Incident Management at Aerodromes – guidance and recommendations
• Part 3: Drone Incident Management at Aerodromes – resources and practical tools.

Only Part 1 is publicly available on the EASA website. The full manual, containing all three parts, can be obtained upon request by aviation actors, law enforcement and national civil aviation authorities by contacting EASA.

While there will be no ‘silver bullet’ solution for all airports, the group has defined a process outline and threat zones in a generic way, which will be useful at multiple locations, to be reflected upon and used as a recommendation. The work provides guidance on how to develop appropriate arrangements and procedures which support an incident response that is quick, effective and proportionate. In this way, air traffic suspensions or airspace or runway closures may be avoided or kept to a minimum, and airport closure would remain a last resort. 

source : https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/156595/preparing-arrival-drones-airport-environment/?utm_source=Email+marketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=IAR+-+2021+Content+highlights+email+-+18+May+2021&utm_term=Karima%2c+take+a+look+at+the+latest+content+from+the+airports+of+the+future%2c+plus+meet+the+new+Editor!&utm_content=https%3a%2f%2femails.internationalairportreview.com%2frussellpublishinglz%2f&gator_td=GiDw4EWkROGLfKHewsOA9ZtOzQH9%2bxLCMXpeng43CNmyRYIHnOQ6qjMGCIbJHb6cmcdBcY%2flgcED4qCmtotJEwKbF695SmjsStevUX7lSVgeM6jq8htPECT%2fVs6evgrpOABsNZJh6tOVemtPQD7hU15TOaRJoVDNp8KdAocXKhEBkcxwbOWbKvEtMSpaWtJ%2bNNP275lDBKu5e1BZ8bz9YhHQW6Jo1f%2fZb7SV335za9M%3d

Published:  April 21, 2020 13:06 Staff Report

Emirates crew onboard now wear a protective disposable gown over their uniforms and a safety visor in addition to masks and gloves

Image Credit: Supplied

Dubai: Emirates is stepping up precautionary measures at the airport and on board to ensure the health and safety of its employees and customers. All cabin crew, boarding agents and ground staff in direct contact with passengers will now don personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes a protective disposable gown over their uniforms, and a safety visor, in addition to masks and gloves.

At Dubai International airport, gloves and masks are mandatory for all customers and employees. Thermal scanners monitor the temperatures of all passengers and employees stepping into the airport. Physical distancing indicators have been placed on the ground and at waiting areas to help travellers maintain the necessary distance during check-in and boarding.

The airport team has also installed protective barriers at each check-in desk to provide additional safety reassurance to passengers and employees during interaction over the counter.

On board Emirates’ flights, seats are pre-allocated with vacant seats placed between individual passengers or family groups in observance of physical distancing protocols.

Emirates has also modified its inflight services for health and safety reasons. Food and beverages continue to be offered in the form of bento-styled boxes to reduce contact between the crew and customers during meal service, and minimise risk of interaction. The personal boxes provide customers with sandwiches, beverages, snacks and desserts.

Similarly, to reduce risk of spreading the virus by touch, magazines and other print reading material are temporarily unavailable. Cabin baggage are currently not accepted on flights. Carry-on items allowed in the cabin are limited to laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items. All other items have to be checked in, and Emirates will add the cabin baggage allowance to customers’ check-in baggage allowance. Customers have to wear their masks and gloves throughout their journey from check-in until they disembark.

All Emirates aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes in Dubai, after each journey, according to press statement.

source : https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/health/suffer-from-a-critical-illness-register-with-dubai-police-for-faster-emergency-response-1.1587374866912

A reported sighting of drones near Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez-Barajas airport on Monday caused operations to close for over an hour. Twenty-six flight had to be diverted to other airports during this time.

Two pilots had allegedly seen drones near the airport after the Spanish air navigation authority, Enaire, reported the possible presence of drones in the area.

The Transport Ministry closed the airspace around Madrid’s international airport, while Enaire activated a special procedure to prevent further landings and takeoffs and to divert flights to other airports.

Enaire later warned, “A drone is not a toy, it’s an aircraft” via Twitter.

Air traffic restrictions were lifted at 14.15 p.m. (1315 GMT). Spain’s Civil Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

The Adolfo Suárez-Barajas international airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe, operating an average of 1,200 flights per day.

According to the airport manager, AENA, nearly 62 million passengers went through the airport last year.

source : https://www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/drone-sightings-cause-madrid-airport-to-divert-flights.html

ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), successfully tested its new anti-drone solution at “several large international airports,” the company said on Monday.The “Drone Guard” solution, IAI said, serves rapidly growing demand by airport operators in the aftermath of severe disruption caused to London’s Gatwick Airport in December 2018 by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Specialist equipment deployed by the British Army to enable the reopening of the airport runway after 36 hours of interruption included the deployment of the Drone Dome system, developed by Israeli defense company Rafael. Read More Related Articles

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Drone Guard was tested at airports in Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia during daily routine operating hours, demonstrating the detection and neutralization of drones without hindering flight timetables or impacting passengers.

The system has also already been deployed to protect leaders and infrastructure at the 2018 G20 Buenos Aires summit and the opening ceremony of the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympics.The system integrates a 3D X-band radar to detect and track all types of drones, a COMINT system to classify the drones by their transmission, an electro-optical/infra-red camera to classify detected objects, and a jammer to neutralize and intercept the threatening object. Hundreds of units of the system, which is specifically configured to operate in the complex airport environment, have been sold to date.”Drone Guard system is operational worldwide and was used to protect major events such as the G20 in Argentina last year. We are proud to provide the Drone Guard system to some of the main airports around the world,” said IAI vice-president and ELTA CEO Yoav Tourgeman.

“Since the Drone Guard is lightweight, transportable and easy to set up, we have been able to meet these demands with an excellent level of performance. In September, we participated in the REP(MUS) 19 NATO exercise in Portugal where we successfully demonstrated the Drone Guard’s ability to protect harbors against hostile drones, UASs, USVs and other airborne and surface threats.”

source :https://www.jpost.com/Jpost-Tech/Israeli-anti-drone-solution-tested-successfully-at-international-airports-615526

The TSA wants to give air marshals the power to use Defense Department equipment to shoot down drones near airports, two congressmen said, seeking to tackle drones that can disrupt airport operations.    According to a news report, in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security that summarizes the plan, Reps. Sam Graves (Mo.) and Mike Rogers (Ala.) on the House Transportation and Homeland Security committees “said the idea goes far beyond what they envisioned when they gave the federal government new powers to counter drones last year.”   The report notes that Graves and Rogers said only the Federal Aviation Administration has the expertise to manage the nation’s skies: “Nobody wants drones to cause disruptions at our airports, but to hastily hand over authority to shoot down drones to an agency that doesn’t have the critical knowledge or experience of how our airspace system functions is irresponsible and dangerous.”   In December 2018, London’s Gatwick Airport was closed Thursday during one of the busiest times of year after drones were spotted over the runway. According to The Associated Press, the prospect of a collision between an “industrial”-grade drone and an airliner led authorities to stop all flights in and out of the airport. Police said that the intrusion was a deliberate attempt to disrupt operations at the airport during a peak period, but that the disruption was not terror-related.  

source : https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/91399-tsa-wants-to-shoot-down-drones-near-airports

THE IRISH AVIATION Authority has warned there will be serious consequences for anyone using drones but not following regulations, including possible prosecution, ahead of the Christmas period. 

The IAA said there are risks associated with the devices which have become popular gifts for children and adults at this time of they year. 

Over the past four years, the number of drones registered in Ireland has almost trebled from 5,000 in December 2015, to almost 14,000 this year. 

All drones must be registered with the IAA which sets and enforces regulations in this area. 

“Worldwide we have seen an upsurge in the use of drones and this is set to continue, Peter Kearney, CEO of the IAA said. 

“But drones are not like any other toy. They can have very serious consequences if they collide with a person, an animal, an aircraft or many other objects. Therefore, if you do get a drone this Christmas, you need to know the rules so that you can fly it safely,” he added. 

The IAA outlined a number of tips to ensure the devices are used appropriately but the IAA’s CEO has told members of the public who witness drones being flown incorrectly to report them to gardaí, which he said could lead to prosecution of offenders. 

All drones weighing 1kg or more must be registered with the authority, while those weighing less than this are permitted to be flown without a permit but no more than 15 metres above ground level, and no further than 300 metres from the operator. 

“Thankfully the vast majority of drone users are compliant with the regulations,” Kearney said. 

“But if you do see anyone not complying with the regulations, we would encourage you to contact your local garda station. Reckless use of a drone or inappropriate use of a drone camera may result in prosecution.”

It is illegal to fly a drone within 5km of an airport in Ireland. Last year, airports across the world including Heathrow and Gatwick in London were forced to ground flights after drones were sighted flying too close to the them on several occasions.

Earlier this year, The National Civil Aviation Threat and Risk Group in Ireland met, at the request of Transport Minister Shane Ross, to discuss potential drone activity near Irish airports.

The 10 tips outlined by IAA to avoid infringement on any the regulations are:

• Fly your drone no higher than 120 metres
• Make sure you can see your drone when flying
• Do not fly your drone over an assembly of 12 or more people, such as a parade, a concert or sports event
• Do not fly your drone within 5km of an airport or military controlled airspace.
• Do not fly within 30 metres of a person, vehicle, vessel or structure not under your direct control
• Do not operate your drone outside of your direct line of sight
• Do not fly your drone in a restricted area such as a prison or military installation
• Always seek permission from the landowner for take-off and landing
• If your drone is over 1kg, make sure you register it on the IAA website. 
• Drone safety is your responsibility. Never operate your drone in a negligent or reckless manner so as to endanger life or property of others
• source https://www.thejournal.ie/iaa-warning-over-drone-use-4911064-Nov2019/

Revealed: ‘Commercial‘ drone that came within 22 yards of an Airbus coming into Heathrow was one of 120 near misses in the last 12 months as the airport finally deploys new technology to combat the gadgets

The AUDS (Anti-UAV Defence System), pictured, is able to detect, track and ground drones and has been designed to stop them being used for terrorist, espionage or other malicious activities

A large ‘commercial drone‘ that came within 22 yards of an Airbus was one of 120 near misses in the last year – as Heathrow airport finally deploys new technology to combat the gadgets.  

The number of near misses between drones and aircraft were up 29 per cent from 2017 – where just 93 were recorded. While in 2014 just six incidents were recorded. 

Now an anti-drone system has been placed on top of a commercial vehicle at Heathrow in a bid to stop the rising tide of drone related incidents.  

Over a drone sighting at Gatwick led to 120,000 passengers unable to take off or land at the airport.  

Passengers were stuck on planes for several hours and were forced to sleep on floors inside the airport as flights were cancelled between December 19 and 21. 

While on January 8 this year flights halted for almost 90 minutes at Heathrow Airport after a drone was spotted at around 5.05pm.

Travel experts estimated that around 40 flights were delayed in the shutdown, with Scotland Yard later confirming that ‘military assistance [had] been implemented‘ to bring the incident to an end. 

Now details of 18 of near misses in the past year have been revealed by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB).

Four of those investigated by the UKAB involved airliners which were approaching the west London hub.

A pilot of an Airbus A380 spotted a large ‘commercial drone‘ pass along the right side of the aircraft within 20 metres at an altitude of 3,400 feet.

The UKAB assessed that the drone was being flown in a way which was ‘endangering other aircraft‘ and concluded that the incident on July 22 last year involved the highest risk of collision.

Another category A near miss featured an Embraer 190 aircraft at an altitude of 800 feet as it was coming into land at Glasgow Airport on September 7.

A ‘shiny white drone‘ was flown immediately above the plane at just 15-30 metres away.

The UKAB concluded that a ‘definite risk of collision had existed‘.

Now Heathrow Airport hopes a new anti-drone system will help combat the increasing number of issues it is having with drones.   

The AUDS (Anti-UAV Defence System) is able to detect, track and ground drones and has been designed to stop them being used for terrorist, espionage or other malicious activities.

Similar equipment has been pictured on the roof of Gatwick‘s South Terminal.

A Heathrow spokeswoman said: ‘Heathrow has always worked closely with the Government and Metropolitan Police to monitor and mitigate against threats to the airport, including the irresponsible use of drones.

‘In the interests of safety, we do not comment on issues relating to security at the airport.‘

Assessments of 18 near misses with drones between July and October were included in the UKAB‘s latest monthly report.

Aviation minister Baroness Sugg said: ‘The actions of these drone users were not only irresponsible, but illegal.

‘The law could not be clearer that this is a criminal offence and anyone endangering others in this way faces imprisonment.‘    

Existing rules for drone users include not flying near airports, staying below 400 feet and flying at least 50 metres away from buildings and people.

Last week, the Government announced a package of measures designed to give police extra powers to combat drones.

The exclusion zone around airports will be extended to approximately a 5km-radius (3.1 miles), with additional extensions from runway ends.

Ministers also announced that from November 30, operators of drones weighing between 250g and 20kg will be required to register and take an online drone pilot competency test. 

source: https://stockdailydish.com/heathrow-airport-deploys-new-technology-to-combat-drones-after-near-miss-with-airbus/

Airports Council International (ACI) World has emphasised the importance of innovation to the sustainable growth of the airport sector in Africa at the recent ACI Africa Annual General Assembly and Regional Conference and Exhibition.

“According to our latest data, ACI forecasts a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 4.7 per cent from 2018 to 2023 in Africa, with passenger traffic expected to grow beyond 450 million by 2040,” said ACI World Director General, Angela Gittens. “Airport leaders are faced with pressure to manage performance and growth, without constantly adding infrastructure and cost, while striving for environmental sustainability and robust security.

“In the spirit of No Airport Left Behind, we need to consider solutions for airports big and small, with different regulatory and operational realities, and how we can help everyone to grow. Innovation is key to the sustainable growth of African airports.”

ACI Africa Secretary General, Ali Tounsi, also spoke about how “airports provide the perfect environment to foster innovation, bringing together many processes, controls, customers and stakeholders in a complex system that requires constant coordination and communication, but are we ready?”.

“Both NEXTT (New experience travel technologies) and Smart Security are programmes that address many of airports’ challenges and which have the potential to bring technological innovation to the heart of aviation,” Gittens continued. “No innovation programme can be successful, however, without regulatory support, which includes a partnership approach between industry and government, and a flexible, adaptable regulatory framework.”

https://www.internationalairportreview.com/news/105658/innovation-key-sustainable-growth-african-airports/