Belagavi Airport appeals to people not to flash laser lights at aircraft

Belagavi Airport authorities have urged people not to flash laser lights into the sky, as it can affect sight of pilots flying aircraft.

This follows a complaint by some pilots to the Mopa Airport authorities in Goa. The Mopa authorities, in turn, alerted Belagavi Airport Director S. Thiagarajan.

He then requested police officers of Karnataka and Maharashtra to investigate.

The pilots earlier complained that they faced inconvenience when someone flashed a laser beam at their aircraft on Sunday.

A team of officers from Nippani registered a case and began tracing the source of the light.

Meanwhile, a team from Gadhinglaj in Maharashtra also began investigation. They have obtained latitude and longitude coordinates from aviation authorities. The Deputy Superintendent of Police of Chikkodi is monitoring the probe.

Belagavi Airport has issued a public warning against people directing laser beams or powerful searchlights into the sky. Such high-intensity lasers can cause temporary “flash blindness” in pilots, especially during critical phases such as take-off and touch-down, posing a serious risk to flight safety, it said.

Mr. Thiagarajan said that directing lasers at aircraft is a serious offence punishable under law and strict action, including criminal charge, may be taken against those responsible.

Police Commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulabrao has urged the public not to use drones around the Belagavi Airport.

In a public notice, the Police Commissioner said that the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has declared an 8-km radius around Sambra Airport as a Red Zone.

Flying any type of drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) within this area, including the Red and Yellow zones, is strictly prohibited. Citizens have been warned against operating drones within the restricted zones. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone found violating the order, the release said.