{"id":93358,"date":"2018-12-21T17:35:46","date_gmt":"2018-12-22T01:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/securingtomorrow.mcafee.com\/?p=93358"},"modified":"2025-08-19T07:39:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T14:39:28","slug":"rogue-drones-cause-gatwick-airport-to-close","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/rogue-drones-cause-gatwick-airport-to-close\/","title":{"rendered":"Rogue Drones Cause Gatwick Airport to Close for Over 30 Hours: More on This Threat"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the Internet of Things works its way into almost every facet of our daily lives, it becomes more important to safeguard the IoT devices we bring into our homes. One device that has become increasingly popular among consumers is the drone. These remote-controlled quadcopters have enhanced the work of photographers and given technology buffs a new hobby, but what happens when these flying robots cause a safety hazard for others? That’s exactly what happened at the Gatwick airport on Wednesday night and again today when two drones were spotted<\/a> flying over the airfield, causing all departing flights to remain grounded and all arriving flights to be diverted to other airports.<\/p>\n

The drones were spotted flying over the Gatwick airport\u2019s perimeter fence into the area where the runway operates from. This disruption affected 10,000 passengers on Wednesday night, 110,000 passengers on Thursday, and 760 flights expected to arrive and depart on Thursday. More than 20 police units were recruited to find the drone\u2019s operator so the device could be disabled. The airport closure resulted in 31.9 hours with no planes taking off or landing between Wednesday and Thursday.<\/p>\n

You might be wondering, how could two drones cause an entire airport to shut down for so long? It turns out that drones can cause serious damage<\/a> to an aircraft. Evidence suggests<\/a> that drones could inflict more damage than a bird collision and that the lithium-ion batteries that power drones could become lodged in airframes, potentially starting a fire. And while the probability of a collision is small, a drone could still be drawn into an aircraft turbine, putting everyone on board at risk. This is why it\u2019s illegal to fly a drone within one kilometer of an airport or airfield boundary. What\u2019s more, endangering the safety of an aircraft is a criminal offense that could result in a five-year prison sentence.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Cybersecurity Tips<\/h2>\n

Now, this is a lesson for all drone owners everywhere to be cognizant of where they fly their devices. But beyond the physical implications that are associated with these devices, there are digital ones too \u2014 given they\u2019re internet-connected. In fact, to learn about how vulnerable these devices can be, you can give our latest episode of \u201cHackable?\u201d<\/a> a listen, which explores the physical and digital implications of compromised drones.<\/p>\n

Therefore, if you get a drone for Christmas this year, remember to follow these cybersecurity tips to ensure you protect them on the digital front.<\/p>\n