FLIGHTS have resumed at Dublin Airport after a drone sighting caused all services to be suspended earlier today.
In a tweet this morning, the airport said it was grounding all flights for "safety reasons" after a drone was spotted over the runway.
The safety and security of customers is our key priority at all times.
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) 21 February 2019
Shortly later, it advised that flights had been resumed just after midday.
Flight operations have now resumed @DublinAirport following an earlier drone sighting. We apologise for any inconvenience. The safety and security of passengers is always our key priority.
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) 21 February 2019
It comes just two months after dozens of drone sightings forced the closure of London Gatwick over three days in the lead up to Christmas.
On January 8, Heathrow Airport suspended flights for one hour due to reports of drones near its runway, while flights at Newark Airport in the US were suspended later that month after reports of drone sightings there.
Also in January, the Department of Transport said a detailed risk assessment was to be carried out to assess whether Irish airports are prepared for similar incidents.
At the time, Minister for Transport Shane Ross said he had been reassured that strong regulatory provisions are already in place in Ireland which control and restrict the use of drones – including an exclusion zone of 5km around airports.
One passenger affected by today's drone incident, David Harrison, tweeted: "Sitting on plane on Dublin Airport runway... Drone spotted. This could be a long day with 2 kids".
Sitting on plane on Dublin Airport runway... Drone spotted. This could be a long day with 2 kids @DublinAirport
— David harrison (@davidharry101) 21 February 2019
Another flier, Danny Hogan, wrote: "Sitting on the plane here in Dublin Airport as this 'DroneGate' fiasco is unfolding. Will someone just find the cowboy flying it or alternatively just lob a rock at it".
Sitting on the plane here in Dublin Airport as this “DroneGate” fiasco is unfolding. Will someone just find the cowboy flying it or alternatively just lob a rock at it....
— Danny Hogan (@dannyhogan97) 21 February 2019
A third affected passenger, Simone Gangemi, posted a photo of her flight grounded on the tarmac.
Fantastic, just a few minutes before take off 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/TRiri6JJdT
— Simone Gangemi (@gangias) 21 February 2019
