Toronto Pearson International Airport has welcomed the announcement of new safety rules for recreational drone and model aircraft users to prevent reckless flights.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) present an increased risk to aviation safety and to the people on the ground near flight paths at airports, heliports, aerodromes and water aerodromes.
The rulings include a ban on flying drones within controlled of restricted airspace or within 9km from the center of any aerodrome, no flights at night, and staying within 500m and in sight of the drone.
Jennifer Sullivan, director of corporate safety and security at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), said, “The safety of our passengers is our top priority, and implementing proactive measures such as these is vital to mitigating against evolving safety risks.
“For its part, Toronto Pearson is a member of Airports Council International, which last year released an advisory bulletin to raise awareness among drone users of the safety risks associated with operating these devices near an airport.
“The end goal is to ensure travel to and from Toronto Pearson is safe, and the GTAA supports any practical initiative that furthers this objective.”