Laser strikes on aircraft reached an unprecedented peak in 2023, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recording a staggering 13,304 incidents, marking a 41% surge from the previous year. The surge poses a severe safety threat as high-powered lasers have the potential to incapacitate pilots, endangering the lives of those on board and on the ground.
Since the FAA began tracking laser strikes in 2010, pilots have reported 313 injuries, underscoring the seriousness of the issue. FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker emphasised the commitment to ensuring the world’s safest air transportation system and condemned the reckless act of targeting aircraft with lasers.
Perpetrators of laser strikes could face substantial penalties, including FAA fines of up to US$11,000 per violation and up to US$30,800 for repeated incidents. Additionally, criminal charges may be imposed by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Whitaker stressed the importance of public cooperation, education, and outreach to address this safety risk, urging individuals to report laser strikes either through the FAA website or to local law enforcement agencies. To visualise laser-strike trends, the FAA’s tool provides data from 2010 to 2023, highlighting patterns by geography, per capita statistics, and time of day, aiming to draw attention to the alarming frequency of these incidents.
