This situation overview provides information on laser interference. The information is produced by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom and updated in English annually. In Finnish the information is updated twice a year.
N.B: For most up-to-date information on laser interference, change language selection to Finnish.
Laser interference 2024
Laser interference of aircraft and helicopters is a constant risk factor in air traffic. Laser beams can impair vision during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing, or when flying at low altitude. Laser pointers make it difficult for pilots to concentrate and cause visual disturbances, such as temporary blindness, blurred vision, or even permanent damage to the retina.
A total of 58 laser interference incidents were reported in 2024, of which 39 occurred in Finland and 19 abroad. Previous year the total was 77 (35 in Finland and 42 abroad), which was a record number. Last year's total figure was lower, but it was still above the 2014–2023 average (45.7).
In Finland, the number of laser incidents increased slightly from the previous year and the long-term average (28), continuing the upward trend that began in 2021. However, the numbers have remained at pre-COVID-19 levels and have not risen as high as in 2011–2015.
The area around Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has traditionally been the most common target of laser interference, and this was also the case last year. Approximately 75% of all reported interferences in Finland occurred in this area, and Helsinki's share of all incidents has been continuously increasing in recent years. Only isolated incidents have been reported from other airports. Autumn has been the most typical season for interference, and last year more than half of the incidents occurred between September and November. The interference most often occurred in the evening, when the aircraft was approaching for landing. Last year's incidents were resolved without any serious consequences, but pointing a laser is extremely dangerous, especially during the approach phase.
The number of incidents reported from abroad (19) was in line with the long-term average. The number of incidents reported from abroad in the previous year was double the average. No clear "hot spot" was identified last year, while in the previous year, incidents were particularly prevalent around London.
Laser interference is a crime. Directing a laser beam at an aircraft crew is punishable in itself, even if it does not result in any concrete danger or damage to the aircraft, its crew or passengers. Airlines will generally file a criminal report in cases of harassment, and Traficom may also request an investigation from the police.
The first court sentence for laser interference was handed down in 2018, when the Lapland District Court sentenced a man to a fine for pointing at a medical helicopter with a powerful laser. In its judgment, the Court found the man guilty of causing a serious traffic hazard and that his interference had caused a danger to aviation safety. Currently in progress is a pre-trial investigation by the police into a case of interference with a general aviation aircraft in Hyvinkää in September 2022.
FinnHEMS, the Finnish Defence Forces, the Border Guard, the Finnish Pilots' Association, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority STUK and Traficom launched the "Laser is not a toy" campaign in March 2021 (External link), drawing attention to the serious consequences of laser interference for air traffic.
In September 2019, Traficom published a safety bulletin on laser interference (External link), which reminded pilots of the dangers of laser interference and also provided instructions for pilots in the event of a laser interference situation. The bulletin also reported on the first court ruling on laser interference.
Pointing with a laser is punishable by law
Handheld laser pointers are cheap and easily available, which means that many people see them as toys. In Finland, the maximum permitted output of an individual laser pointer is one milliwatt. Audiovisual equipment may have a laser pointer with five milliwatts of power at maximum. If such a pointer has a green beam, it may interfere with pilots at a distance of up to three kilometres. If the laser has 125 mW of power, the interference may reach up to 18 kilometres. Eyes are clearly more sensitive to green light than red or blue light.
Pointing the beam of a laser pointer at the flight crew of an aircraft is punishable in itself, even if it did not cause any actual damage or real danger to the aircraft, its crew or the passengers.
If e.g. the beam actually hits the eyes of the flight crew during a critical stage of the flight, i.e. takeoff or landing so that the pilot is blinded or even loses their eyesight partially, the dangerous situation is real and serious. This may constitute an offence called “causing danger” or, in certain situations, “criminal traffic mischief” or “negligent endangerment.”
If the use of a laser pointer causes real damage, the situation will naturally be assessed in a completely different manner. In that case, all the provisions of the Criminal Code that safeguard the life and health of people apply, such as the provisions on negligent bodily injury and homicide. Naturally, the party causing the damage would also be liable for the considerable financial damage.