SOUTHEND Airport has welcomed the Government’s decision to consider regulating the sale of laser pens, which can pose a serious danger to pilots if shone at them when planes are landing and taking off.

UK ministers are reviewing the idea of restricting their unlicensed sale as part of a crackdown on the use of the devices.

Civil Aviation Authority figures reveal that 1,258 incidents occurred in the past year where pilots have had laser pens shone at them while at the controls.

Glyn Jones, chief executive of Stobart Aviation, which owns and operates Southend Airport, voiced his support for the action plan.

He said: “Laser attacks at Southend Airport are rare but not to be taken lightly. 

“The safety and security of our airline customers and passengers is our number one priority so we fully support the use of licensing action to remove any threat to safe operations of planes that fly from the airport.”

The proposal to licence the devises came after two British tourists were fined for shining lasers at planes in the Spanish city of Malaga.

Laser pointers are small devices which emit a narrow stream of light, the colour dependant on the type of laser pen which is purchased.

It is already an offence to shine the devices at pilots, and is currently punishable with a fine of up to £2,500.

Pilots are the most frequently targeted by laser pens, but train drivers have also reported incidents involving the same offence.

According to British Transport Police, there were 466 incidents of laser pens being used to target trains between April 2011 and October 2016.

The business minister, Margot James, is launching an eight-week call for evidence of misuse of the pens.

However, at present laser pens can be easily purchased. Therefore, in much the same way as people needs licences to own guns, a legislation is being seriously considered to restrict their sale.


The proposal has also been welcomed by the Civil Aviation Authority.
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said: “Anyone convicted of shining a laser at an aircraft could face a significant fine or even imprisonment should the safety of an aircraft be endangered.

"While these laws are already in place, we believe strengthening legislation to restrict ownership of laser pens would help enhance efforts to tackle the issue.

We strongly urge anyone who sees lasers being used in the vicinity of an airport to contact the police immediately.”