- Drone activity near major U.S. airports triggered hundreds of near-midair collisions in 2024, particularly during takeoffs and landings. Officials say drones appeared too close for pilots to react, including one incident just 300 feet from a cockpit near San Francisco.
- The FAA has expanded drone testing and enforcement, including off-airport detection trials and arrests tied to unauthorized flights.
- Experts urge the FAA to strengthen safety tools as manufacturers scale back geofencing and drone usage continues to rise.
Full Story
Nearly two-thirds of reported near-midair collisions at the 30 busiest U.S. airports in 2024 involved drones, according to an Associated Press analysis. These incidents often occurr during takeoff or landing when aircraft are most vulnerable.
In one case, near San Francisco International Airport, pilots saw a drone just 300 feet away from their cockpit window and had no time to respond. Similar close calls took place over airports in Miami and Newark, New Jersey.
The Federal Aviation Administration estimated more than a million drones operate across the country. While drones must follow strict altitude and airspace rules, aviation experts warn that easily available quadcopters often end up flying where they shouldn’t, including near commercial flight paths.
What action is the FAA taking to detect and prevent drone interference?
The FAA has restricted drone operations near airports unless users receive prior authorization. Operators must register drones weighing more than 250 grams and equip them with transponders that broadcast their location and ownership data. The agency is also testing new drone detection and countermeasure systems, including signal jamming and laser-based options.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
From April 14-25, the FAA is conducting off-airport drone detection tests in Cape May, New Jersey, using both large drones and over 100 commercial models. These trials build on previous tests in Alaska and will continue later in 2025 in New Mexico, North Dakota and Mississippi. The FAA says the tests will help assess whether these systems interfere with aircraft or navigation tools.
Holding drone operators accountable
Some operators face legal consequences for violating restricted airspace. In December 2024, Boston police tracked down and arrested two men for flying a drone near Logan International Airport using the aircraft’s transponder data. In another incident, a drone collided with a plane fighting wildfires in California. The drone damaged the aircraft’s wing, grounding it for several days. The operator pleaded guilty to federal charges after admitting he lost sight of the drone before it hit the plane.
Experts say these types of enforcement actions could help deter others. They also suggest the FAA adopt stronger tools, such as automated tracking systems or mandatory geofencing, to better prevent airspace violations.
Why did DJI eliminate its geofencing restrictions?
DJI, one of the largest drone manufacturers, removed mandatory geofencing features from its products in January. The company had previously restricted drones from entering sensitive airspace, but managing temporary access requests from authorized users became overwhelming. In 2023 alone, DJI processed over one million geofence override requests.
DJI now relies on pilot alerts instead of enforced barriers. The FAA has not announced whether it will mandate geofencing in the future.
How is NASA helping manage drone traffic?
NASA developed an unmanned aircraft traffic management system, or UTM, to coordinate drone flight paths without relying on human air traffic controllers. According to NASA, the cloud-based system shares each drone’s planned route with nearby operators, rerouting flights before launch to prevent collisions. Drone delivery companies like Zipline and Wing have adopted UTM, particularly in busy airspaces like Dallas.
The FAA may soon allow beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations under a new rule, Part 108, if drones use UTM. This change could support broader use of drones for deliveries and emergency services. However, operators must follow shared standards and maintain visibility into surrounding air traffic.
What remains the biggest challenge for drone safety?
Despite detection systems and voluntary reporting tools, not all drone activity is visible to regulators. The FAA receives over 100 monthly reports of drones near airports, but the actual number of incursions may be higher. Many incidents go unreported, and not all drones carry the required transponders.
Aviation officials and researchers agree that collaboration among manufacturers, pilots, and regulators remains key to improving safety.
