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Gloucestershire Business News

Time to get tough over laser threat

New penalties to combat the misuse of lasers have been welcomed by Gloucestershire Airport and Gloucester MP Richard Graham.

Article 225 of the Air Navigation Order already makes it an offence to shine lasers at aircraft, carrying a fine of up to £2,500.

However the new Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Bill currently going through Parliament will increase the penalties and bolster the police's power to investigate the offence. It also extends the offence to all other modes of transport, including cars.

Richard Graham believes the measures will help protect pilots using Gloucestershire Airport who can be dangerously distracted by lasers.

Since 2010 there have been around 1,500 laser incidents involving aircraft reported each year in the UK. A huge increase from just six in 2004. The misuse of lasers predominantly occurs during critical phases of take-off and landing.

Mr Graham (pictured right with Gloucestershire Airport staff) said: "This Bill is important for pilots: the risk of a crash is always greatest during take-off or landing, and any temporary blindness from a laser or other distraction - as I know as a former University Air Squadron pilot and airline manager - can be very dangerous."

Mark Ryan, managing director of Gloucestershire Airport said: "We welcome the new measures that would see tougher penalties for those that recklessly endanger the safety of aircraft.

"An aircraft's cockpit lighting is kept intentionally dim during night flying to enable pilots to have the best possible night vision. The sudden illumination of the cockpit by a laser compromises this with potentially serious consequences."

Top picture credit: Pixabay

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