Illegal drone closes Dubai airport for more than an hour

Authorities are searching for the owner of the drone after more than 20 flights had to be diverted.
By Ryan Stultz Executive Editor

A drone invaded the airspace of Dubai's airport, causing flights to be diverted and delayed for more than an hour Saturday.

According to The National, Dubai International Airport was forced to divert more than 20 flights from 11:36 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday.

“We are working with Dubai Police, the airport and the relevant authorities in the investigations on the breach of the no-fly zone," GCAA chief Saif Al Suwaidi said Saturday. “What happened was a breach of the regulations … and a nuisance that disrupted air travel in Dubai."

The United Arab Emirates began to regulate the sale and flight of drones last year, after a similar incident closed the Dubai airport for nearly an hour.

Drones are banned near Dubai International Airport, Al-Maktoum Airport, the Al-Minhad airbase and around Palm Jumeriah's SkyDive Dubai.

Arabian Business reported that the Civil Aviation Authority was investigating and searching for the owner of the drone.

The issue of drones near airports has increasingly become a problem around the world. In March, it was reported that a drone had hit a British Airways flight at Heathrow, though later the authorities admitted the incident may have actually been caused by a plastic bag .

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