Birmingham Airport Pilots Reported 18 Laser Strikes
The city's main airport saw 18 laser incidents through August 2026 as national strike reports decreased significantly.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Air Travel
Live Poll
Do you believe the public understands that pointing lasers at aircraft is a serious safety risk?
Pilots reported 18 laser strikes at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport through August 2026. This data follows a nationwide decline in incidents, which dropped to 4,470 reports in 2026 from a peak of 13,304 in 2023.
Why it matters
Laser strikes pose a severe safety hazard to aviation, with the FAA recording 322 pilot injuries since 2010. Federal authorities maintain strict penalties for the crime to deter intentional disruption of flight operations.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport recorded 18 strikes through August 2026, while the state of Alabama logged 49 total incidents. Nationally, the FAA reported 4,470 strikes in 2026, down from 13,304 incidents in 2023.
The players
Federal Aviation Administration
The FAA is the national agency responsible for regulating civil aviation and investigating pilot-reported laser strike incidents.
The details
Pilots report these dangerous incidents to the FAA and local law enforcement agencies to trigger investigations. Law enforcement officials conduct ongoing outreach and training programs intended to prevent future strikes near regional airports.
Timeline
The FAA began tracking pilot injuries from laser strikes in 2010.
Nationwide laser strikes reached an all-time high of 13,304 in 2023.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport recorded 39 laser strikes in 2025.
Pilots reported 18 laser strikes at Birmingham airports through August 2026.
Travel Outlook
The federal criminalization of shining a laser at an aircraft establishes the primary legal framework for addressing these aviation security threats. This regulatory approach, combined with localized law enforcement training, reflects a broader national shift to reduce pilot-reported incidents.
Shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime that can result in fines up to $11,000 per violation. Residents should be aware that unauthorized laser use near the airport poses significant risks to public safety and flight crews.
The takeaway
Laser strikes remain a serious threat to pilots despite the overall downward trend in reported incidents. Authorities emphasize that targeting an aircraft is never a harmless prank and carries severe legal consequences for offenders.
Further reading
Learn more about aviation safety protocols and trends in our Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBMA.
Live Poll
Do you believe the public understands that pointing lasers at aircraft is a serious safety risk?
