FLYSAFE DATA · UPDATED APRIL 2026
3,200+
Airport Drone Incidents in 2025
Unauthorized drone sightings near airports have grown exponentially since 2016. What began as a minor nuisance has become a significant operational threat, with drones causing over 400 hours of airport closures in 2025 alone. The UK, US, and Gulf states lead in reported incidents.
Incident Growth Timeline
| Year | Global incidents | Closures caused | Closure hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | ~80 | 3 | 6 |
| 2017 | ~200 | 8 | 18 |
| 2018 | ~450 | 15 | 72 |
| 2019 | ~700 | 22 | 95 |
| 2020 | ~500 | 12 | 40 |
| 2021 | ~900 | 28 | 110 |
| 2022 | ~1,400 | 42 | 180 |
| 2023 | ~2,100 | 58 | 260 |
| 2024 | ~2,800 | 75 | 350 |
| 2025 | ~3,200 | 90 | 420 |
Key Data Points
3,200+
Global incidents in 2025
420 hrs
Total closure hours in 2025
36 hrs
Longest single closure (Gatwick 2018)
4,000%
Growth since 2016
UK/US
Top reporting countries
$120M+
Est. airline disruption costs 2025
By Country (2025)
Reporting rates vary significantly by country, reflecting both drone prevalence and detection capability. Countries with advanced counter-UAS systems report higher numbers, while many incidents in developing markets go undetected or unreported.
United Kingdom680
United States620
UAE / Gulf States410
Germany280
France240
India195
Rest of world775
Sources
- UK Airprox Board — Drone sighting reports, 2016-2025
- FAA — UAS Sightings Report database
- Eurocontrol — Drone incident tracking, European airports
- GCAA UAE — Dubai airport drone closure records
Cite this data:
This page provides publicly available information about airspace conditions. Always consult official sources (ICAO, EASA, FAA) for operational decisions.