Laser attacks on Heathrow pilots worst in UK
Pilots flying into Heathrow suffered 151 laser attacks last year, up by a quarter on 2015.
The number of incidents at Heathrow was almost double that experienced at any other UK airport.
Figures from the CAA show that Glasgow was the second most targeted airport, where laser attacks almost doubled to 83 in 2016.
Birmingham was third with 73, followed by Manchester (72), London City (62) and London Gatwick (55).
The total for the whole of the UK was 1,258, down from 1,439 during the previous year.
It is an offence to endanger aircraft by shining lasers at pilots and offenders can be fined up to £2,500, but the government is planning to introduce new, tougher legislation, which would give police the power to arrest someone simply for shining a laser. Offenders could be fined or even jailed.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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