Analysis of Reported Aviation Safety Occurrences Related to Laser Attacks

This article analyses European aviation safety reports submitted in reaction to occurrences involving laser attacks on aircraft in the period from 2016 to 2022. It discusses the data available for identifying trends in the use of laser pointers aimed at flying aircraft. The identification of the properties of such devices is a key prerequisite to the development of detection technology enabling law enforcement forces to locate the source of transmission endangering air traffic. Such technology, once developed, is expected to increase the number of prosecuted events in order to discourage future offenders and limit the amount of such occurrences. From the data presented in the article, it can be concluded that there is one prevailing laser colour being widely used, green, and that the devices used to target aircraft are much more powerful than those laser devices that are expected to be sold without restrictions to the general public.