Auckland Airport delays flights, police notified after drone incursion reported
Five flights at Auckland Airport were briefly delayed this morning after reports of a drone straying into the airport’s controlled airspace.
An Airways New Zealand spokesperson said at 10am, Auckland Air Traffic Control received a public report of a drone near Ormiston, inside Auckland Airport’s control zone.
“As a precaution, five flights were held for approximately five minutes while air traffic control assessed the situation. In line with procedure, police were notified.
“The airport’s control zone includes areas where aircraft fly at lower altitudes during take-off and landing. Drone operators need approval from air traffic control to be able to fly in this airspace.
“Drone users should check airshare.co.nz to find out where they can fly safely and to log their flight with air traffic control if needed.”
A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson said it has not received any reports of a drone over Auckland Airport.
“There is a 14-day period where non-critical incidents can be reported to the CAA. When we receive a report, we will then assess the information and decide if any further action might be required.”
It comes more than three weeks after a drone hovered close to the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower to capture the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks footage.
The CAA said the authority had received multiple reports regarding drone footage taken in Auckland on December 31.
“Civil Aviation Rules prohibit flying over people or property without consent, at night, within 4km of an aerodrome, or higher than 120m from the ground.”
The footage, shot at night, shows New Year’s Eve in Auckland’s CBD from above and flies over multiple properties and appears to be higher than 120m.
“If a drone operator is certificated under Civil Aviation Rule part 102 some of these restrictions may not apply,” the spokesperson said.
People called out the drone operator online, questioning whether they had official clearance to fly in the area.
“How did anyone get permission to fly over all those people, fly within four Kms of two heliports, and at night?” one Reddit user said.
“If this person doesn’t have full certification and part 102 he needs to be talking to a lawyer.”
“Of all the dangerous illegal things you can do with a drone this was spectacular,” another said.
“What an idiot, multiple flights on his channel illegally flying around Auckland. Filed a report with the CAA, good luck to him.”
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