THE GOVERNMENT is looking at new legislation to tackle the increasingly worrying trend of flashing deadly laser beams into the cockpits of low-flying commercial aircraft, said Communications Minister Nicos Nicolaides yesterday.
The statement of intent came after a weekend which saw one pilot go to hospital with eye problems after being subjected to laser flashing in flight, and another teenager arrested in connection with laser-flashing aircraft.
The latest incident was reported late on Saturday when the pilot of a plane flying from Greece, bringing students home for Easter, was laser-flashed as he was coming in to land. The pilot went to Larnaca hospital on landing for treatment on his eyes.
Andreas Mateos, head of safety for the Cyprus Airways pilots’ union, the pilot suffered a serious reaction in his eyes as a result of a laser beam while flying at six to eight thousand feet altitude. Mateos expressed concern that Cyprus was seeing an increase instead of decrease of incidents.
On Sunday, a 16-year-old from a village in the Nicosia district was arrested in connection with jeopardising flight safety with a laser beam. Police described the recent spate of incidents as reckless and negligent acts which put human life at risk.
The latest arrest comes on the back of a series of arrests last week, including four National Guardsmen and two 14-year-olds. Pilots have reported at least nine incidents of laser-flashing since January while a police helicopter also came under laser attack last Thursday, forcing the pilot to lower altitude to avoid the deadly light.
Minister Nicolaides spoke yesterday about the “criminal stupidity” of those responsible and said he would fast-track legislation to regulate laser use.
“These devices, as innocent as they look, could cause a plane accident with tragic consequences. It is criminal stupidity, not bravado or cleverness.
“There are serious penalties and the law enforcement agencies will be very strict when they find those responsible. So all should have in mind that this act could lead to a very tragic incident,” he said.
The minister called on the public to keep their eyes open and if anyone has information on the criminal laser-shooters, to inform the police immediately. The ministry was looking at the option of passing legislation to restrict or prohibit the use of laser devices that can jeopardise flights, he added.
The newly-formed Flight Safety Foundation-SE Europe-Cyprus yesterday condemned the “irresponsible” and “highly dangerous” acts of laser harassment over Cyprus.
