Surge in Drone Incidents Near U.S. Airports and Events Raises Alarms

Federal officials are sounding the alarm over the growing number of drone-related safety and security incidents across the United States, warning that the country is not adequately prepared to handle the increasing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Over 3,000 Drone Incidents Since 2021

According to testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, more than 3,000 drone-related events have occurred near American airports since 2021. This includes 11 aircraft in 2025 alone that were forced to take evasive action to avoid potential collisions.

Steven Willoughby, a counter-drone expert with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), noted that drones have directly collided with aircraft engaged in emergency response missions in California and Texas this year. He added that drone interference has caused significant flight delays at major airports.

Drone Threat Expanding to Stadiums and Mass Gatherings

Officials also expressed grave concern over drones being intentionally used for malicious purposes at sporting events and other large public gatherings. The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup was cited as a major concern due to its global scale and multiple host cities.

Despite there being around 90,000 special events each year where the FBI could provide drone protection, such resources were deployed to just 0.05% of those events, according to Justice Department and FBI officials. “We cover the Super Bowl; but what about the other 200-plus NFL games?” said Willoughby. “We can’t be everywhere at once.”

Congressional Push for Expanded Drone Authority

Lawmakers acknowledged the urgent need for legislative reform. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz stressed that the U.S. remains “woefully unprepared” for the scale of the drone threat. Cruz warned, “Drones pose an immediate and growing threat to our national security.”

Currently, only federal agencies like the Justice Department and DHS have legal authority to disable or destroy dangerous drones; powers that Congress temporarily granted in 2018 and has since periodically extended.

New proposed legislation would:

• Extend drone interdiction authority to local and state law enforcement.
• Expand protected areas to include critical infrastructure like airports, power plants, and chemical facilities.
• Increase penalties for unlawful drone use.
• Improve drone surveillance near high-risk prisoner transports.

Espionage and Border Surveillance Concerns

The Secret Service reported hundreds of drone violations in restricted flight zones protecting the president and other high-level officials. The FBI added that the use of drones for espionage activities within the U.S. is rising sharply.

In just the last six months of 2024, over 27,000 drones were detected within 500 meters of the southern U.S. border, raising fears of surveillance, smuggling, or reconnaissance missions.

Recent Drone Prosecutions Highlight Legal Gaps

Two recent cases highlight how the current legal structure struggles to keep pace:

• A man pleaded guilty in June after flying a drone over the NFL AFC Championship game in Baltimore.
• Another was charged in September for flying a drone near the Boston Marathon finish line, prompting mid-air interception by law enforcement.

Urgency Before Major Upcoming Events

With the 2026 World Cup, major political conventions, and continuous air travel activity on the horizon, federal officials are calling for swift legislative action to enhance drone safety, enforcement capabilities, and protective infrastructure.

“The time to act is now,” officials warned, “before a drone incident turns catastrophic.”