Russian drone attack on Poland: Europe warns of threat to airlines

The recent attack by Russian drones on Poland has sent an alarming signal to the whole of Europe, and especially to the aviation industry. Incidents like this could become a regular occurrence and lead to disruptions in air traffic across the continent. Find out why airlines consider drones a threat to stability

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The recent incident involving russian drones crossing Polish airspace has caused widespread concern in Europe. Executives from major airlines note that such threats are becoming less of an isolated incident and more of a long-term challenge for the entire aviation industry.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary told Bloomberg that drone attacks will continue and airlines will have to adapt to this reality. According to him, Europe must respond harshly to such provocations by Russia, otherwise disruptions to air traffic will only intensify.

The incident in Poland and its consequences

The drones shot down over Poland prompted a swift response from the Polish aviation authorities and the European Aviation Safety Agency. Despite the immediate threat being averted, the situation has sent an alarming signal to both the EU and NATO.

The incident has already affected the operations of major carriers: Ryanair's flight punctuality has dropped to 60%. Disruptions have spread to Scandinavia, the Baltic states and Germany. O'Leary noted that this is not a direct threat to passenger safety, but rather a destabilisation of the air transport system.

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Threat to flight stability in Europe

According to industry representatives, russian drone activity has been recorded not only in Poland but also in the Baltic states. This creates additional risks for air traffic in the region, which is home to key routes for European airlines.

O'Leary notes that if the EU and the US do not take a tougher stance and increase sanctions pressure on russia, flight disruptions could become regular. For passengers, this means delays, cancellations and higher airfares, and for companies, financial losses and the need to review logistics.

The situation with drones presents the EU with a choice: either to strengthen security measures and take appropriate steps, or to put up with the constant threat of destabilisation. For the aviation market, which has already been hit hard by the pandemic and the energy crisis, this could be a new serious challenge.

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