Patients stranded during airport drone disruption

Medical procedures had to be cancelled after illegal drone activity disrupted flights at Jersey Airport, the government has said.

Flights were affected on Friday and Saturday evenings after unauthorised drones were reported, leading to services being cancelled or diverted to other airports, including Paris.

The Government of Jersey said the incident "had consequences beyond flight disruption", including patients who were receiving treatment in England unable to return home, the cancellation of nine planned clinical procedures and one non-emergency air ambulance transfer aborted.

It said the investigation was ongoing and additional measures had been put in place.

However, it added for "operational reasons" it could not provide further details about the additional measures.

Health Minister Tom Binet said the drone interference had been "absolutely disgusting", adding it was "not just the disruption, but the health implications".

He said: "[While] those drones are running, if you had an emergency, that has a real effect."

Officials asked islanders to "remain vigilant" and report further drone sightings to the States of Jersey Police immediately.

"Alongside the immediate response and ongoing investigation, the government and its partners are actively reviewing what more can be done to ensure Jersey is as well prepared as possible for any future incidents," they said.

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