UK CAA warns laser attacks on air ambulances could lead to catastrophic incident

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has warned that pointing lasers at air ambulances could cause a catastrophic incident. The warning came during UK Air Ambulance Week, which began on September 10, 2026, and was issued jointly with the charity Air Ambulances UK.\n\nAccording to the CAA, laser attacks occur every month and can cause temporary blindness, distraction, or long-term eye damage to pilots. Emergency air ambulances fly more than 135 flights a day in the UK. During 2025, there were 94 laser attacks on emergency helicopters. In the first half of 2026, there were 35.\n\nMost air ambulances operate with a single pilot, which increases the safety risk. Glenn Bradley, Head of Flight Operations at the UK CAA, said the attacks need to stop and that every month vital flights are potentially disrupted and pilots subjected to long-lasting eye damage.\n\nAir ambulance charities employ only a small number of pilots, so if one pilot's eyes are damaged by a laser, the helicopter's availability for critical care flights is reduced. Matt Wilcock, Chief Pilot at Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance, said that most winters he suffers at least one or two laser attacks. He said at night they are exceptionally startling and distracting and can damage his eyes, potentially resulting in a catastrophic accident.\n\nOffenders found guilty of targeting an aircraft with a laser can face up to five years in prison, according to the CAA.