Ryanair has called for action by the Government over the disruption at Dublin Airport caused by drones.
Over the past two days, several flights had to be diverted away from Dublin Airport after a drone was spotted close to the runway.
Following the suspension of flights due to two confirmed drone sightings shortly after 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dublin Airport announced a second day of disruptions.
Drone flying is prohibited in Ireland within a 5-kilometer radius of any airport.
Ryanair later commented on the delays, saying: “It is unacceptable that for two days in a row, passengers and flights to/from Dublin were disrupted by apparent drone activity.
The airline has urged the country’s transportation minister, Eamon Ryan, to take action to stop further drone-related delays at the country’s main airport.
A spokesperson for Dublin Airport said flight operations were suspended at 2.11 pm on Saturday, with operations resuming on runway 28R at 2.49 pm for departures, and on 28L at 2.55 pm for arrivals.
They said flight operations were suspended for safety reasons following two confirmed drone sightings on the airfield.
“Such instances are a huge inconvenience to our passengers whether they are delayed departing or experience air traffic delays returning to Dublin Airport. However, safety and security are always our overriding priorities,” they said.
A spokesperson for Ryanair slammed as “unacceptable that for two days in a row, passengers and flights to/from Dublin were disrupted by apparent drone activity”.
“Yesterday four Ryanair aircraft and over 700 passengers had their flights diverted to Shannon and Belfast, and again today another four flights and 700 passengers were diverted with thousands more having their flights delayed,” they said.
“Such drone disruptions at Ireland’s main airport are unacceptable.
“We are calling on Minister Ryan to take urgent action to protect the country’s main airport from repeated disruptions from illegal drone activity.”