In late December, the UK was alerted to the impact of a drone attack, when suspected sightings resulted in 1,000 flights from Gatwick Airport being cancelled. Then, weeks later Heathrow also suffered a minor drone-related disruption. The financial and logistical impact on the airport, airlines and travellers (approx. 140,000 in the case of the Gatwick incident) was immense, with current reports putting the cost to the aviation industry at between £50 - £70 million. 

“The responses to the airport drone attacks were played out in the spotlight, with much public debate regarding the seeming lack of a pre-defined plan of action to prevent or contain such an incident.” explains the Sales and Marketing Director at the Linx International Group, Sarah Hayward-Turton. “Last year we introduced our Drone Detection course and this year we will run it three times to give security professionals expert advice from experts in drone technology, to help mitigate risk and implement countermeasures to thwart unauthorised drone activity.”