IAG boss calls for register of drones after near misses with aircraft
Willie Walsh, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), owners of British Airways (BA), this week called for a UK register of drones and new regulations to be introduced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after 28 near collisions with planes, including some at the highest risk level involving commercial airliners, were reported at British airports by the UK Airprox Board. Although the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) previously led calls to action on drones, and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) recently published a register, BA is yet to endorse specific measures. Last month the government announced plans for a public consultation on tightening drone rules. Mr Walsh suggested pre-programming drones to circumvent sensitive air space (geofencing) could offer a potential solution but registering ownership and operation may solve many problems.

The boss of British Airways’ owner IAG has called for a register of drone users after a series of near collisions between passenger planes and unmanned aircraft.





Willie Walsh, IAG’s chief executive, said that “without question” new restrictions should be brought in by the regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, warning that the growing size and capability of drones would make them a serious risk to air passengers.



Last year 28 near misses with drones and planes were reported around airports in Britain by the UK Airprox Board – including several categorised at the highest level of risk involving commercial airliners.

The pilots’ union, Balpa, has led calls for action on drones, but BA had not previously endorsed its call for specific measures.

Walsh said: “It’s inevitable that we will see more restrictions placed on the ownership and operation of drones. The Irish Aviation Authority have already introduced a register. They are ahead of the game. I’d be surprised if the CAA don’t follow.”

The government last month promised a public consultation on proposals to tighten rules on drones, in the wake of an apparent collision with a BA plane landing at Heathrow that sparked widespread headlines.

The incident is now believed not to have involved a drone, the aviation minister Robert Goodwill said last week. Walsh confirmed that the pilot had reported a collision with “an inert object – he never actually said a drone”.

While Walsh said he had not yet seen an incident that had jeopardised a plane’s safety, he said there were concerns around a drone being ingested into an engine. Asked if they posed a serious risk, Walsh said: “Not at this stage. But as drones get bigger and more complex, with greater capability and able to operate at higher altitudes, yes they could.”

Walsh said there was nothing that airlines could currently do to prevent strikes. He said “geofencing” around airports – pre-programming drones to avoid sensitive airspace – appeared a possibility.

However, he recommended a register. “A lot of the issues could be dealt with just through registering the ownership and operation. A register makes a lot of sense.”

