October 31, 2026 — Three incoming flights were diverted from Jersey Airport on Friday night after reports of unauthorised drones near the runway disrupted operations. Aircraft travelling from London Gatwick, Heathrow and Southampton were affected, with one flight returning to Gatwick for refuelling as passengers faced delays and uncertainty.
The States of Jersey Police shared an airport announcement at approximately 10:25 p.m. on October 30, confirming that drone activity was interfering with flight movements. Airport authorities continued monitoring the situation and advised passengers to contact their airlines.
Local broadcaster Channel 103 reported that the airport planned to remain open later than usual while crews waited for clearance to resume flights.
Three Flights Diverted From Jersey Airport
Incoming services from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Southampton were diverted on Friday evening, according to Channel 103.
Aircraft were reportedly holding near Jersey and Guernsey as pilots awaited instructions. Reports also suggested that a Gatwick service eventually landed at 11:43 p.m., although the exact arrival time has not been independently confirmed.
The incident adds to recent aviation disruption affecting UK airports. A separate Gatwick Airport runway incident previously caused delays and highlighted how operational interruptions can affect connecting flights.
Passenger Reports Up to Four Drones Near Airport
One passenger told Channel 103 that their aircraft was approaching Jersey when two drones were reportedly spotted near the airport.
The flight returned to Gatwick because it could not continue waiting for landing clearance with the fuel available. The aircraft subsequently refuelled.
The passenger said they were later informed that the number of reported drones had increased from two to four.
Authorities have not independently confirmed the number of drones involved or whether multiple operators were responsible.
Airport Reportedly Required 30 Minutes Without Drone Activity
According to Channel 103, flights needed a continuous 30-minute period without drone activity before operations could resume.
Jersey Airport reportedly planned to extend its operating hours to accommodate affected services.
Unidentified drones can create serious aviation risks, particularly during takeoff and landing. Pilots must also maintain adequate fuel reserves, meaning aircraft cannot remain in holding patterns indefinitely.
Police Response and Investigation
The States of Jersey Police confirmed disruption linked to unauthorised drone activity and said the situation was being monitored.
A commercial pilot reportedly criticised those operating the drones as aircraft waited for clearance.
No drone operators had been publicly identified in the available reports. Authorities had not confirmed any arrests, recovered equipment or criminal charges.
Similar Drone Incident Reported in July
Jersey Airport experienced another drone-related disruption on July 13, 2026, when operations were briefly suspended while police and airport firefighters investigated.
Normal operations resumed after the earlier incident. Ports of Jersey reminded operators that flying drones within two nautical miles of the airport without permission from air traffic control is prohibited.
The repeated incidents raise concerns about airport safety and the impact unauthorised drones can have on scheduled passenger services.
Saturday Flights and Possible Further Delays
An early October 31 update from Jersey’s government flight information service listed the 7:05 a.m. British Airways departure to Heathrow as cancelled.
Other morning services to Gatwick, Southampton and Manchester were initially listed as scheduled or awaiting check-in instructions. The reason for the Heathrow cancellation was not officially established.
Unlike the drone incident, recent weather-related flight disruptions at Heathrow and Gatwick involved different operational challenges, although both can affect passengers across multiple routes.
Latest Jersey Airport Updates for Passengers
Passengers travelling through Jersey should check the official Jersey Airport departures board and contact their airline before leaving for the airport.
Travellers affected by cancellations or diversions should ask about rebooking, refunds and assistance with necessary expenses. Eligibility for compensation depends on the circumstances and applicable passenger rights rules.
The final number of affected passengers, the full cancellation count and the identity of those responsible for the reported drone activity remain unconfirmed.
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