Dublin Airport (DUB) has suffered its sixth closure within five weeks due to drone activity in the area, according to Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary.
In a video posted on the Ryanair Twitter account, a visibly frustrated O’Leary called Ireland’s transport minister Eamon Ryan “incompetent”.
“Stop talking, stop sitting on your hands and do something useful for Irish transport for a change. Instead of holding meetings, fix the drone problem at Dublin Airport,” O’Leary challenged the minister.
The Twitter post read: “Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary calls on Minister @EamonRyan to fix drone closures of Dublin airport or resign…”
A potential drone sighting just before 6.30pm on Thursday, March 2, 2023, forced Dublin Airport to suspend flights.
As a result of the incident, three Ryanair flights were diverted to Shannon Airport (SNN) and Belfast International Airport (BFS).
In a statement Dublin Airport said: “Flight operations resumed at 18.59 after a confirmed drone sighting suspended operations at 18.27. @GardaTraffic was immediately advised. 3 flights were diverted discommoding passengers as a result of this reckless & illegal activity of flying a drone within 5km of @DublinAirport.”
Flights were last suspended at Dublin Airport on February 21, 2003, after “illegal drone activity” was detected in the area.