Record Number of Laser Strikes Reported by FAA in 2023

A total of 13,304 laser incidents marks a 41 percent increase from the previous year.

Jonathan Welsh

Thursday, February 01, 2024 at 02:29 PM ET

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Pilots increasingly face the threat of people pointing lasers at their aircraft. [Credit: iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Laser strikes on aircraft reached a record high in 2023 with 13,304 reported incidents, marking a 41% increase from the previous year.
These strikes pose a serious safety hazard, capable of incapacitating pilots and causing eye injuries, thereby endangering aircrews and passengers.
The FAA is increasing public awareness, collaborating with law enforcement, and pursuing federal civil and criminal penalties against perpetrators, with fines up to $30,800 for multiple violations.
The agency encourages public cooperation and urges individuals to report laser strikes to the FAA or local law enforcement agencies.

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The FAA said it received 13,304 reports of laser strikes from pilots last year, marking a 41 percent increase over the 9,457 reported during 2022 and setting a record for the growing hazard.

The agency said it is raising public awareness of how dangerous laser strikes are and that pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense. The FAA is working with law enforcement across the country to address the problem. Its efforts include pursuing civil and criminal penalties against people who purposely aim a laser at an aircraft.