WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jersey Airport said it was “experiencing disruption… affecting inbound flights as a result of further drone activity,” marking the second consecutive night of interference that has delayed more than 30 flights and grounded 12 aircraft.

Security teams deployed the airport’s integrated drone‑detection system, which uses radar, radio‑frequency scanners and AI‑powered video analytics to identify unmanned aircraft. Despite rapid identification, the drones—measured at under 5 kg—escaped capture and forced the temporary shutdown of the terminal’s runways, causing a 45‑minute delay on flights from Paris and London.

“We have not identified the operators, but our systems have flagged the drones and we are coordinating with the FAA and local law enforcement for a swift resolution,” said Airport Director Maria Lopez. “The priority is passenger safety and minimizing operational impact.”

Industry observers note that the incident underscores the growing challenge for regional airports as commercial drone use expands. According to a 2024 industry report, drone incidents at U.S. airports rose 18 % over the previous year, with the majority involving small hobbyist drones that breach no‑fly zones.

Enterprise Drone Detection Systems

• Integration of radar, RF scanners and AI analytics boosts detection speed by up to 60 %.
• Real‑time alerts allow airports to pre‑emptively close runways within 30 seconds of detection.
• Cost of full‑scale deployment averages $1.2 million per airport, with ROI seen in reduced downtime and liability.

While the incident prompted temporary flight cancellations, no injuries were reported and the FAA has confirmed that all affected aircraft returned safely to their gates. Airport officials plan to upgrade their drone‑countermeasure suite ahead of the summer travel peak, positioning Jersey as a testing ground for emerging enterprise security solutions.