As Americans prepare for holiday travel, flyers may be considering whether an increase in drone sightings will impact takeoffs and landings.
Drone sightings have been reported in the skies across the Northeast, some near or over airports.
Nearly 40 million people are expected to fly during the holidays, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website.
Flight attendants reveal surprising days of travel ahead of Christmas rush
Sightings reported Near the airport Several airports in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York confirmed the sighting to Fox News Digital.

The FBI is investigating 100 drone sightings reported in recent weeks. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Fox Digital News that there have been “multiple reports of drone sightings near and above the airport” at New York’s Stewart International Airport (SWF), a public and military airport in Orange County.
In response, SWF closed the airport’s runway for more than an hour on Friday evening, with no safety impact on aircraft.
Brett Velicovich, Fox News contributor and CEO Expert Drone“Now it’s impacting our economy by not allowing flights to take off on time,” told Fox News Digital via email. “
He added: “Even if a sighting is reported, there is nothing the airport can do but shut down traffic. (The airport) has to do this as a safety precaution and the problem is (the drone operator) cannot be tracked easily and can Quickly shutting down traffic and causing massive chaos.”
The mysterious ‘ding’ you hear on a plane may not mean what you think
The FBI said it has received reports of more than 5,000 drone sightings in the past few weeks, following 100 drone sightings. FBI website.
Two men were arrested Saturday after “conducting dangerous drone operations near Logan Airport airspace,” according to a Boston Police Department news release.
spokesperson for the organization Massachusetts Port Authority Airport operations have not been disrupted, Massport told Fox News Digital via email.

A New York airport closed its runway for an hour after a drone sighting in its airspace. (iStock)
“Our biggest concern with UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) is that it could hit an operating aircraft, whether intentionally or accidentally, which could have catastrophic consequences,” the spokesman said.
Adding, “When drones are detected in restricted airspace, they can impact operations, cause delays or even close airports.”
The spokesman said law enforcement Agencies have detection equipment monitoring the restricted airspace around Logan, and pilots report any sightings.
For more lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle
Richard Levy, a retired pilot and aviation expert for a major international airline, told Fox News Digital via email that the drone sightings “probably will not” impact holiday travel.

The FAA receives more than 100 reports of drone sightings near airports each month. (iStock)
“The exception is: An unauthorized drone flying into controlled airspace near an airport will result in an immediate ‘ground stop’ for all departing flights, prohibiting any approaches and landings until the drone has actually left the area,” Levy said. ”
Levy said it’s not common for pilots to spot drones.
Click here to subscribe to our lifestyle newsletter
“The flight crew (pilots) focus on the instruments and the runway environment. We don’t focus on for drones. But now, due to the high number of reports of drone sightings, we are going to be extra cautious. “Levi said.
An FAA spokesman said: “While distances will vary depending on the size of the airport, Drone is Flights are generally not allowed within 5 miles of an airport without FAA authorization. “
Click here to get the Fox News app
“We receive over 100 reports of drone sightings near airports every month and want to send a clear message: operate drones around the planeHelicopters and airports are dangerous and illegal,” an FAA spokesman said.







