Flights at Dublin Airport have resumed after operations were earlier suspended when a drone was spotted over the airfield.
A spokesperson for the airport confirmed on Twitter that operations were suspended "for safety reasons".
However, the airport confirmed shortly after noon that flights had resumed.
Mr Ross described the incident as "a matter of concern" but said the fact the airport reopened swiftly is "encouraging".
"The existing arrangements are in fact that the safety of passengers will be most important, our priority, and that's why the airport's been closed," he said.
Mr Ross said the threat risk group on drones will be sitting again next week.
He added that "we're as prepared as we can be".
Air traffic controllers said the drone was sighted by a pilot on the apron at 11.30am.
Aer Lingus have advised passengers to check for potential delays this afternoon.
"Some delays may be experienced today as a result, but we'll be doing everything possible to minimise these," a spokesperson said on Twitter.
Last year, thousands of passengers were hit with delays after flights were suspended at Gatwick Airport over drone sightings.
Two drones were spotted flying near its airfield, triggering the biggest disruption to its operations since a volcanic ash cloud grounded flights in 2010.
Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on transport Robert Troy this afternoon said that the Minister for Transport must "wake up to the threat of drones".
"In the first instance I am glad that the disruption to flights in Dublin Airport was kept to a minimum and that all flights have resumed, however let there be no doubt about it, it could have been much more chaotic.
"Minister Ross's previous comments that the likelihood of a drone attack in Ireland was 'low' clearly shows his lack of understanding of the seriousness of the issue.
"Following the drone sightings at Gatwick Airport, he was at pains to stress that the regulatory provisions in place in Ireland, which control and restrict the use of drones were stronger than those of the UK.
"His dismissive attitude and the failure of the Government to progress the Fianna Fáil Bill to regulate drone usage which was brought forward by my Party colleague James Lawless, will lead to further disruptions such as was seen in Dublin Airport today.
"Having our airspace compromised by the threat of drones is not something they can continue to ignore."
In January, Transport Minister Shane Ross called a special meeting of the National Civil Aviation Threat and Risk Group to advise him on the recent incidents in the UK and their implication for Irish airports.
Mr Ross previously said: "There are already strict rules in Ireland around the use of drones, including an exclusion zone of 5 kilometres around airports.
"The misuse of drones is an offence, and flying drones in controlled Irish airspace or within 5 kilometres of an airport is a very serious matter."
Online Editors
0 Response to "Flights resume at Dublin Airport after earlier drone sighting - Independent.ie"
Post a Comment