An emergency service vehicle by the perimeter fence after a confirmed drone sighting forced the temporary suspension of operations at Dublin Airport, Ireland, Thursday Feb. 21, 2019. Flights at Dublin Airport were grounded for a short time Thursday, to ensure the safety and security of passengers after a confirmed drone sighting. (Nial Carson/PA via AP)
LONDON – Flights to and from Dublin Airport in Ireland were briefly halted Thursday after a drone was spotted over the airfield.
The airport said the Irish Aviation Authority suspended flights for 30 minutes after a confirmed sighting by a pilot at around 1130GMT.
"As there were no further drone sighting within the 30-minute suspension period, Dublin Airport resumed flight operations shortly after noon," the airport said in a statement.
It said three incoming flights were diverted to other airports during the closure, and some knock-on delays to departures were expected for the rest of the day.
The airport said "the safety and security of customers is our key priority at all times."
The popularity of drones makes them a growing threat to aviation.
More than 100,000 travelers were stranded or delayed before Christmas after drone sightings near London's Gatwick, Britain's second-busiest airport. No one has been arrested over the incident, which saw the airport shut for parts of three days.
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