Birds have been posing a threat to planes for years but over the last decade, a new danger has arisen: drones. Just like birds, they are particularly likely to cause problems around airports, when planes are flying at low or midair altitude. Throughout 2024, they accounted for nearly two-thirds of midair collisions near American airports.
After the Associated Press took an interest in NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System (based on voluntary submissions from pilots and other aviation workers), data revealed that almost two-thirds of reported near-midair collisions involving commercial passenger planes taking off and landing at the 30 busiest airports in the US were caused by drones.
Sightings of drones at close range to airplanes were reported at San Francisco’s International Airport in November 2024, at Miami’s International Airport in October 2024, and at Newark International Airport in August, just to name a few.
According to AP, the first reports of near misses involving drones were logged in 2014 and over the last ten years, drones added up to 51% (122 of 240) of reported near misses. Although those drones didn’t actually cause accidents, they might very well have done so. If a drone were to collide with a plane in mid-air, this could have devastating incidents for the drone, the aircraft, and its passengers.
What do the rules say?
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates there are around one million drones deployed in the US, both for recreational and commercial purposes. On its website, the organisation gives a clear overview of all you have to know when flying a drone in the US, including registration obligations and good practices.
“Drone operators should avoid flying near airports because it is difficult for manned aircraft to see and avoid a drone while flying. Remember that drone operators must avoid manned aircraft and are responsible for any safety hazard their drone creates in an airport environment. For flights near airports in controlled airspace, drone operators must receive airspace authorization prior to operation. Airspace authorizations come with altitude limitations and may include other operational provisions,” the FAA recalls.
If you are planning to fly in controlled airspace, you will need an authorization from the FAA. Learn how to receive a near real-time airspace authorization today, or request one up to 90 days in advance at https://t.co/8l9Eu2Qb4p. pic.twitter.com/A6LF94D7my
— FAADroneZone (@FAADroneZone) March 28, 2025
In order to complement NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System, which only allows voluntary submissions from aviation workers, the FAA put together its own Drone Sightings Near Airports page where everyone can send in their sightings. In March 2025 alone, 160 sightings were reported all over the US.
While the FAA prohibits nearly all drones from flying around airports, requires registrations and transponders for drones weighing over 250 grams, and is testing all kinds of systems to deal with drones near airports, according to AP experts are asking the organisation to do more. Introducing a system similar to speed cameras and obliging manufacturers to install a geofencing system on their drones are some of the proposed initiatives.
