RAF
Airlines To Pay For Supersonic Scrambles
Fines of up to £100,000 could be levied on airlines that trigger RAF scrambles by failing to identify themselves to air traffic controllers.
According to the Times, government sources have said that Typhoon jets have had to take to the skies up to twice a month because of false alarms.
These incidents usually occur when a foreign airline or private aircraft enters UK airspace without using the correct radio frequency, so air traffic controllers cannot contact the pilots for information.
They can also happen if an aircraft reduces altitude into restricted airspace, such as over a nuclear power station, or into a zone designated for other aircraft, such as when a helicopter strayed into airspace that was to be used by the Red Arrows in May this year.
Officials are said to hope that the fines will act as a deterrent against "buffoonery".
Alert crews are located at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.
RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Picture: Mark Holland
They are tasked with protecting UK airspace, including intercepting Russian military aircraft.
Cover image courtesy of Allan Chapman.
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