Lok Sabha Question No. 3269 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Disruptions in Flight Operations by Laser Beams
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Kali Charan Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3269

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  12th March 2026 )

## DISRUPTIONS IN FLIGHT OPERATIONS BY LASER BEAMS

3269.    SHRI KALI CHARAN SINGH Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  increasing  incidents  of  laser  beams being directed  at  aircraft,  including  recent  reports  by  pilots  of  Cathay  Pacific during  operations  at  Indira  Gandhi  International  Airport,  disrupting  flight operations and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the total number of such incidents reported during the last three years at IGI Airport and other major airports, year-wise;
- (c) whether it is a fact that laser exposure during critical phases such as landing and  take-off  can  cause  temporary  flash  blindness  and  visual  impairment  to pilots, thereby posing serious risks to passengers, crew and aircraft and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the measures taken to coordinate with airport operators, ATC authorities and local police for prevention and identification of offenders; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  stricter  legal  provisions,  enhanced surveillance and technological solutions to ensure aviation safety and deter such hazardous acts and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) to (e): Rule 66 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 regulates the exhibition of false lights,  including  laser  lights,  in  the  vicinity  of  aerodromes  where  such  lights may endanger the safety of aircraft or interfere with visual aids for navigation. DGCA has published CAR which prescribes requirements for protecting aircraft operations  against  the  hazardous  effects  of  laser  emitters  around  airports, including  the  establishment  of  protected  zones  to  mitigate  risks  arising  from laser emissions.

Further, to control activity of laser  emission around  airports, Standards Operating Procedures are defined in Aerodrome Manual of concerned aerodrome.

List of Laser incidents reported at Major Airports is attached as Annexure.

******

## ANNEXURE

| S. No.            | List of Major Airports   | Year wise Laser Interference Incidents   | Year wise Laser Interference Incidents   | Year wise Laser Interference Incidents   |
|-------------------|--------------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
|                   |                          | 2023                                     | 2024                                     | 2025                                     |
| 1                 | Ahmedabad                | 0                                        | 10                                       | 17                                       |
| 2                 | Bengaluru                | 0                                        | 10                                       | 1                                        |
| 3                 | Chennai                  | 0                                        | 67                                       | 54                                       |
| 4 Delhi           | 110                      |                                          | 144                                      | 147                                      |
| Hyderabad         | 0                        | 59                                       | 38                                       | 5                                        |
| 6 Jaipur          | 6                        |                                          | 40 56                                    |                                          |
| 7 Kolkata         | 0                        |                                          | 72                                       | 44                                       |
| Lucknow           | 6                        |                                          | 23 26                                    | 8                                        |
| Trivandrum        | 0                        | 1                                        | 0                                        | 9                                        |
| Varanasi          | 0                        | 9                                        | 10                                       | 10                                       |
| Mumbai            | 0                        | 17                                       | 33                                       | 11                                       |
| Bhopal            | 0                        | 8                                        | 16                                       | 12                                       |
| Nagpur            | 0                        |                                          | 1 2                                      | 13                                       |
| Surat             | 0                        |                                          | 6 4                                      | 14                                       |
| 15 Patna          | 0                        |                                          | 9                                        | 11                                       |
| 16 Cochin         | 0                        | 4                                        |                                          | 11                                       |
| 17 Calicut        | 0                        |                                          | 14                                       | 8                                        |
| 18 Madurai        | 0                        | 6                                        |                                          | 4                                        |
| 19 Trivandrum     | 0                        |                                          | 14                                       | 7                                        |
| 20 Mangalore      | 0                        |                                          | 9                                        | 11                                       |
| 21 Tiruchirapalli | 0                        |                                          | 5                                        | 2                                        |
| TOTAL             | 122                      | 528                                      |                                          | 502                                      |