Airport Security in the Drone Era: Why Counter-Drone Measures Matter Now More Than Ever
By Damon Johnson, Founder of Raising Drones
Let’s face it — drones are cool. They fly, they film, they deliver coffee (well, almost), and they’ve opened up a whole new world of opportunity for creators, entrepreneurs, and even environmentalists. But like any great innovation, drones come with their fair share of headaches too.
And when those headaches start circling our airports? Yeah, that’s when things get serious.
As the founder of Raising Drones, I spend a lot of time teaching people how to fly responsibly, get licensed, and even launch their own drone businesses. But today, I want to talk about the other side of drones — the one that’s causing airport security teams to lose sleep at night.
Drones Are Changing the Airspace Game
We’re no longer living in a world where threats in the sky only come in the form of birds or bad weather. Now, anyone with a few hundred bucks and an online shopping cart can buy a drone capable of reaching airport airspace — whether they mean harm or not.
And trust me, even the most harmless drone flight can quickly turn into a full-blown emergency when it wanders near a runway. A tiny, buzzing quadcopter might not seem like a big deal, but when you're talking about a jet packed with passengers moving at 150 mph, you don’t want to roll the dice.
Real Risks, Real Incidents
We’ve already seen the damage an uninvited drone can do at airports. Flights delayed, operations suspended, and in some cases, complete shutdowns — all because a drone popped up where it shouldn’t have.
In 2018, the infamous drone disruption at London’s Gatwick Airport grounded hundreds of flights and affected over 140,000 passengers. That single incident caused chaos for days and cost millions. And it wasn’t even an attack — just a drone (or drones) in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Since then, more airports around the world have been forced to take drones seriously. Because even if 99% of drone pilots are flying by the rules, it only takes one bad actor — or clueless hobbyist — to throw a wrench into the entire operation.
Enter: Counter-Drone Technology
So, what do we do? Ban drones? (Spoiler: terrible idea.)
Instead, we step up with smarter systems — what the pros are calling counter-drone measures or C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems). These are tools and technologies that help detect, track, and, if necessary, disable unauthorized drones near sensitive areas like airports.
We're talking radar, RF detection, jamming systems, and even trained birds of prey (seriously). The goal isn’t to take down every drone in the sky — it’s to protect the areas where drones don’t belong.
Awareness and Education Go Hand-in-Controller
Now, I’ll be the first to say that technology alone won’t fix the problem. You can’t just throw a radar dish on a control tower and call it a day.
We also need awareness. Education. Responsibility.
That’s where companies like mine come in. At Raising Drones, we train new pilots to understand airspace rules, avoid restricted zones, and use tools like LAANC authorization (yep, that’s the thing that lets you fly safely in controlled airspace). We emphasize not just how to fly a drone, but how to fly smart.
Because here’s the truth: most drone incidents aren’t malicious. They’re just mistakes. A pilot doesn’t realize how close they are to an airport. Or they think, “Oh, just a quick flight — what’s the harm?” Next thing you know, a whole terminal is delayed.
So, teaching drone pilots to respect the airspace? That’s just as important as building the tech to stop the bad ones.
Where This Leaves Us in 2025
In 2025, we’re living in a world where drones are only going to become more common. They’re used for deliveries, inspections, agriculture, and yes — TikToks. But with greater access comes greater responsibility.
Airports, government agencies, and drone manufacturers are all stepping up to improve safety. And that’s great. But the rest of us — pilots, trainers, hobbyists — we have a role to play, too.
We’ve got to advocate for smarter airspace rules, encourage better education, and support efforts to install counter-drone tech at critical infrastructure. Not just for safety — but for the long-term success of the drone industry as a whole.
Because here’s the thing: if we don’t take responsibility now, someone else will. And they might not be as friendly as your neighborhood drone instructor.
Final Thoughts
Drones are here to stay — and thank goodness for that. But just like every great invention, they need boundaries. Counter-drone measures at airports aren’t about shutting down drone innovation. They’re about protecting lives and keeping the skies safe for everyone — passengers, pilots, and yes, drone operators too.
So, if you're a drone enthusiast, a budding dronepreneur, or just curious about getting into the skies, here’s my advice: fly smart, stay informed, and always respect no-fly zones. That way, we all get to keep doing what we love — without triggering a full airport lockdown.
Clear skies and safe flying,
Damon Johnson
Founder, Raising Drones