QCOSTARICA — Last year, 38 incidents of laser light interference to aircraft were reported, according to data from the AERIS Safety Management Department (SMS).
Although the figure represents a decrease compared to the 46 cases recorded in 2023, it is still significant compared to previous years.
The analysis reveals that the most affected aircraft are the Airbus A320, Boeing 737 and Boeing 767 models used by both commercial and cargo airlines. These interferences occur mainly between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, concentrating on the cockpit and frontal areas of the aircraft.
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The most frequent effects include distraction, reduced visibility, and visual discomfort for pilots, with an average exposure of 18 seconds per reported event.
The most severe effects, such as glare and reduced visibility, have average durations of 62.84 and 30.62 seconds, respectively.
These effects represent a significant danger, especially during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing, where pilot decisions are key to ensuring safety.
In addition, the presence of laser lights in the vicinity of airports can cause confusion, as pilots could mistakenly interpret these light signals as indicators of the control tower or other air traffic.
“The Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC) – General Directorate of Civil Aviation, strongly calls on people to avoid the use of laser sights and similar devices on aircraft and people. Anything that puts the physical integrity of a person and the safety of a flight at risk is unacceptable. We are in favor of responsible information and we encourage citizens who are aware of this practice to report it and in this way we can all contribute to guaranteeing the Operational Safety of aeronautical activity in Costa Rica,” said Luis Miranda, Deputy Director of Civil Aviation.
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In Costa Rica, under the General Law of Civil Aviation, the fine is up to 20 minimum wages depending on the severity of the infraction.
The Reglamento Aeronáutico Costarricense (RAC02) -Costa Rican Aeronautical Regulations, also prohibit any act of unlawful interference against crew members, stipulating that “no person may assault, threaten, intimidate or interfere with the execution of the duties of a crew member, during the time the aircraft is operated.”
Therefore, the public should report any incident of this type by calling 911 and providing precise details about the location and characteristics of the laser.
“AERIS has a protocol that guarantees immediate notification to the Airport Police in the event of any laser interference incident; this allows measures to be taken promptly to address the situation. In addition, we maintain close collaboration with the Air Surveillance Service, coordinating actions to identify the source of the laser interference and ensure the integrity of air operations,” said Juan Belliard, Director of Operations and Security at AERIS.
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Simultaneously, AERIS reports these incidents to Civil Aviation.
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