Hyderabad, July 19: Rising incidents of laser beams being directed at aircraft near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad have raised serious concerns over flight safety, with more than 100 cases reported in the last two years.
Officials said laser lights have repeatedly targeted aircraft during takeoff and landing, posing a significant risk to pilots during critical phases of flight.
A recent incident involved a Lufthansa flight arriving from Frankfurt, Germany. While the aircraft was approaching the runway, a powerful laser beam flashed into the cockpit, temporarily affecting the pilots’ vision. The crew managed to land the aircraft safely, preventing any untoward incident.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, over 1,000 laser strike incidents have been reported at 43 airports across India. Nearly 10 percent of those cases were recorded in Hyderabad alone.
The city has reported nearly twice as many laser incidents as Mumbai and Bengaluru and ranks fourth in the country after Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
Federation of Indian Pilots President Captain C.S. Randhawa warned that even a brief exposure to a laser beam can temporarily blind pilots, making it a serious threat to aviation safety.
Following the rise in incidents, the Shamshabad police launched an investigation. Officials found that high-powered laser lights used at farmhouses, function halls and wedding venues near the airport were interfering with aircraft flight paths.
Police have issued notices to the owners of four farmhouses and two wedding halls near the airport, warning them against using laser lights that could endanger aircraft operations. Officials said strict legal action will be taken against anyone found violating aviation safety norms.
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