Пилоты Boeing 777 авиакомпании Emirates ослеплены лазером при посадке

CHENNAI- A major aviation safety concern unfolded at Chennai Airport (MAA) when an Emirates (EK) flight from Dubai (DXB) was struck by a green laser beam during its final approach on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, carrying 304 passengers, was forced to abort its initial landing after the laser blinded the flight crew. This marks another alarming instance in a rising pattern of laser interference near the airport.

Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Emirates, A6-ENN, Boeing 777-31H ER, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78143543

Emirates Pilots Hit by Laser in Chennai

The incident occurred late Thursday night as Emirates Flight EK542 was on descent into Chennai International Airport (MAA). When the aircraft was about six nautical miles from touchdown, a powerful green laser beam struck the cockpit, prompting the pilot to immediately go around and inform Chennai Air Traffic Control (ATC).

ATC alerted the Greater Chennai Police (GCP), and the laser was switched off shortly after. The flight landed safely on the 25-end (Guindy side) of the main runway. However, authorities warned that such laser activity severely impairs a pilot’s visibility, especially during landing, a critical flight phase.

According to airport officials and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), laser interference constitutes a hazardous incident.

AAI stated that shining laser beams at aircraft poses a severe threat by impairing pilots’ vision, especially during critical landing phases. The AAI urged the public to report such actions immediately to local authorities.

The Greater Chennai Police (GCP) reinforced the warning with a public advisory, stating that activities such as flashing laser beams, releasing hot air balloons, and launching tethered or light-emitting objects near airport zones threaten flight safety. Legal consequences will follow for offenders.

According to the GCP advisory, directing laser beams at aircraft can cause temporary blindness or serious distractions for pilots. It not only endangers the lives of passengers and crew but also disrupts airport operations. Such acts fall under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), categorized as “an Act endangering life or personal safety of others.”

The advisory stressed the potential for suspension of airport activity if the laser source cannot be immediately identified and neutralized. It also highlighted that high-powered lasers can pose risks to the general public by causing eye damage.

Photo: Alexander Lang | Flickr

Similar Incidents

These incidents have surged recently, with five separate cases reported in May 2025 alone.

A green laser beam struck an Emirates Boeing 777-300 aircraft descending toward Chennai airport at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The pilot immediately alerted Air Traffic Control, who notified police authorities of the dangerous interference.

A Gulf Air flight also experienced an identical laser strike just one day before the Emirates incident, highlighting an escalating pattern of hazardous activities near the airport.

Airport sources confirmed the Emirates pilot encountered the laser beam when the aircraft was positioned six nautical miles from touchdown.

The laser flashing ceased abruptly, allowing the flight to complete a safe landing at the main runway’s Guindy end. Despite the successful landing, aviation authorities classify laser beam interference as a hazardous incident requiring immediate investigation.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Significant Risk

The International Civil Aviation Organisation emphasizes the severe risks laser strikes pose during critical flight phases, including landing, approach, and takeoff. Aviation safety experts warn that these incidents can compromise a pilot’s vision and aircraft control during the most vulnerable moments of flight operations.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation addressed laser interference in its National Aviation Safety Plan 2024-2028, stating that aiming lasers at aircraft during approach and landing phases may blind flight crews and cause loss of control.

The agency stressed that such incidents during critical flight phases could trigger serious accidents, making public awareness campaigns essential for prevention.

National aviation data reveals 144 reported cases of laser interference during aircraft landing and takeoff operations throughout 2023. Airport authorities acknowledge the significant challenges in tracing and locating individuals responsible for these dangerous acts.

Chennai airport officials report that laser incidents typically occur in isolated cases of one or two per period, but wedding celebrations and local events can trigger increased occurrences. The widespread availability of laser devices, from children’s toys to event equipment, has complicated prevention efforts.

Airport sources explain that laser beam lights have become easily accessible for small-scale events and recreational use. Authorities continue raising awareness about the adverse impacts on aircraft safety through regular Airfield Environment Management Committee meetings.

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