KIA records least number of laser interference incidents among major airports

The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) recorded the least number of laser interference incidents in the last two years among major airports in the country.

While most airports witnessed increasing incidents of laser beams being directed at aircraft, KIA, which is the third busiest airport in the country, recorded zero incidents in 2023, 10 incidents in 2024, and one incident in 2025, as per information by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol to a question in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Budget Session.

In contrast, Delhi airport reported 110 incidents in 2023, 144 in 2024, and 147 in 2025; Chennai reported zero incidents in 2023, 67 in 2024, and 54 in 2025; and Hyderabad reported zero incidents in 2023, 59 in 2024, and 38 in 2025.

Even smaller airports like Kolkata and Lucknow reported more incidents than KIA. In 2024 and 2025, Kolkata reported 72 and 44 incidents, and Lucknow reported 23 and 26 incidents, respectively.

Among Karnataka’s airports, Mangaluru International Airport featured in the list with 9 incidents in 2024 and 11 in 2025.

In total, across the 21 major airports in the country, 122 were reported in 2023, and 528 and 502 were reported in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

In response to the measures taken for prevention and identification of offenders, and whether the government proposes stricter legal provisions, enhanced surveillance, and technological solutions to ensure aviation safety and deter such hazardous acts, the Minister said, Rule 66 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 regulates the exhibition of false lights, including laser lights, in the vicinity of aerodromes where such light may endanger the safety of the aircraft or interfere with visual navigation aids.

“DGCA has published CAR, which prescribes the 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 the activity of laser emission around airports, Standards Operating Procedures are defined in the Aerodrome Manual of the concerned Aerodrome,” he said.