Urgent Warning for Birmingham Travellers Flying to America Over Drone Disruption
Travellers planning to fly from Birmingham to America have been issued an urgent warning due to a new phenomenon causing widespread disruption across US airports. Despite no direct flight routes currently available, America remains a highly popular destination for holiday-goers from the Birmingham area, with recent discussions about potentially reinstating direct flights to New York.
Drone Activity Leads to Significant Flight Delays
While severe winter storms have cancelled thousands of flights in America recently, a new study highlights that drones are becoming a major factor in travel chaos. Research from Getac, a rugged computing solutions provider, analysed Federal Aviation Administration data and found that between January and September 2025, drone activity caused 749 flight delays at US airports. This alarming figure underscores the growing risk of illegal drone operations, which are sparking global concern due to near-misses with passenger jets.
In particular, flights to and from New York City have been identified as a hotspot for drone-related disruptions. During the same period, 76 drone sightings around the city’s airports led to delays, with New York Stewart International Airport even closing its runways for an hour in December 2024 due to illegal drones. Governor Kathy Hochul has called for an active investigation to address the high number of sightings.
Other High-Risk Cities and Safety Concerns
Other cities at high risk include Boston, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. A spokesperson for Getac commented on the findings, stating, “This data presents the rising threat that unauthorised drones are having on airports across the U.S. Near misses are increasingly common, and a collision could be catastrophic.” They emphasised the need for strict legislation in every state to regulate drone use near airports, as some owners may be unaware of prohibitions, leading to accidental disruptions.
The spokesperson added, “While drones may operate near airports for military or research purposes, operators must obtain permission to mitigate safety hazards. Calls to ‘shoot down’ drones are unrealistic and hazardous, highlighting the need for better technology to detect illegal drones quickly.” They suggested that military technology, including AI-based systems and rugged tablets, could enhance detection capabilities, as AI evolves for data analysis and intelligence gathering.
Implications for Birmingham Travellers
For Birmingham travellers, this warning is particularly relevant given the potential reinstatement of direct flights to New York. In 2024, 1.88 million passengers from the wider Birmingham area travelled to the US, making this issue a significant concern. The study concludes that greater security and safety measures are urgently needed at US airports to reduce the risk posed by drones, ensuring safer travel for all.
