In December 2018, Gatwick Airport faced an unprecedented crisis when multiple drone sightings caused repeated closures, severely disrupting operations. Aaron Bassett, Stable Operations Lead at Gatwick Airport, discussed the lessons learned and the steps taken to enhance C-UAS security and systems at Counter UAS Homeland Security Europe on September 9.

The 2018 drone incident

The incident began at 21:06 on December 19, 2018, upon initial spotting of an unknown UAS near the airfield, quickly followed by additional reports from trusted sources, including police and airfield personnel. As part of standard safety protocols, the airport was closed. Drone sightings continued following the initial report, often occurring just as operations were about to resume, leading to repeated closures and cancellations.

The impact was severe, with 515 arrival cancellations, 348 green departure cancellations and 163 red departure cancellations with 18,654 passengers were directly affected. Over the following nine days, the disruption continued to affect Gatwick’s operations, highlighting the vulnerability of major airports to drone incursions.

Lessons learned and implemented measures

The incident offered a harsh assessment of the vulnerability of the airport’s airspace, prompting Gatwick to undertake a thorough review of its security protocols and counter-drone systems. Bassett outlined several key areas of improvement:

  1. Enhanced detection and preparedness: Gatwick improved its C-UAS security by focusing on the capability to detect, track, identify and effect unauthorised drone operations. This process involved a comprehensive vulnerability assessment, which helped identify potential drone launch sites in collaboration with Sussex Police.
  2. Improved communication and stakeholder engagement: One of the critical lessons was the need for better communication with local stakeholders. Gatwick worked to update its communication strategy, engaging with the local community to raise awareness about safe drone usage and reduce unintentional incursions. Data on drone activity within 5km of the airport, including 61 unauthorised detections in May, 37 in June and 35 in July, helped inform these efforts.
  3. Collaboration and coordination: The incident revealed the importance of coordination between the airport, law enforcement and other stakeholders. By benchmarking their CUAS capabilities against perceived vulnerabilities and collaborating with local authorities, Gatwick has significantly enhanced its preparedness for future drone threats.

Moving forward

The Gatwick incident and the work that has been done since then has helped to develop the standard in airport drone security, focusing on technological improvements and fostering a culture of shared responsibility for airspace safety.

By enhancing their C-UAS systems and improving communication with the public, Gatwick is better equipped to prevent future drone-related disruptions and ensure the security of its airspace.

Post Image: Johannes Heel via Unsplash