On the night of 21 November, an incident that seriously endangered flight safety occurred around Istanbul Airport. A local resident noticed a strong laser beam being pointed into the sky simultaneously with aircraft passing through the airspace, recorded the situation, and notified the police.
According to the footage taken by the eyewitness and the information provided, the laser-pointing act carried out by an unidentified individual lasted approximately 30 minutes. Such acts can affect pilots’ vision instantly and may even pose a risk of permanent vision loss.
The Danger Created by Laser Pointing in Aviation
Pointing lasers at aircraft creates serious safety risks by negatively affecting pilots’ visibility, especially during critical phases such as takeoff and landing. Bright laser beams can cause reflections inside the cockpit, weakening the pilot’s ability to control the aircraft. Experts emphasise that these actions should not be seen merely as a “joke,” as they constitute a crime that endangers flight safety.
Severe Penalties in Türkiye and the USA
According to the administrative sanctions issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA):
- Pointing lasers at aircraft
- Interfering in ways that endanger flight safety
- Similar airspace violations are subject to an administrative fine of 91,139 TL.
Penalties are much harsher in international examples. In the USA, the penalty for pointing a laser at an aircraft can be:
- up to 5 years in prison and a 250,000-dollar fine.
- Warning from Authorities: “Do Not Endanger Lives”
Following the incident, aviation authorities urged citizens to be cautious, reminding them that the use of lasers directly affects air transport and can lead to serious consequences.
