FAA Reports Laser Strikes on Aircraft Down for Second Consecutive Year

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that reported laser strikes on aircraft declined for the second consecutive year in 2025. According to the FAA laser strike data, pilots reported 10,994 incidents last year, a 14 percent decrease from the 12,840 events recorded in 2024. This trend suggests that the agency's focused outreach and enforcement efforts are having a measurable impact on this critical aviation safety issue.

The decline in aviation safety laser incidents follows an all-time high of 13,304 reported strikes in 2023. The agency attributes the positive trend to a combination of public awareness campaigns and enhanced collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Despite the reduction, the FAA emphasizes that the threat remains significant, as laser beams can cause temporary blindness, glare, or after-images for pilots, posing a direct risk during critical phases of flight like takeoff and landing.

Statistical Trends and Geographic Hotspots

The latest FAA laser strike report for 2025 provides a detailed look at the issue across the United States. While the national numbers are down, certain states continue to be hotspots for laser incidents. California once again recorded the highest number of strikes with 1,309 reports in 2025. Texas followed with the second-highest total, documenting 1,100 incidents. These two states consistently lead the nation, highlighting areas where targeted outreach and enforcement may be most needed.

The data also underscores the long-term danger posed by these events. Since the FAA began tracking incidents in 2010, pilots have reported a total of 337 injuries resulting from laser illumination. These injuries can range from temporary vision impairment to more lasting effects, creating serious pilot incapacitation risks. The FAA maintains a comprehensive database of laser incidents, which is used to identify trends and inform its safety strategy.

Regulatory Framework and Enforcement

Shining a laser at an aircraft is not a harmless prank; it is a serious federal crime in the United States. The FAA has robust regulatory authority to pursue violators. Under existing federal aviation regulations, the agency can impose civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. The FAA did not disclose the total number of civil penalties issued in 2025.

Beyond civil fines, individuals who intentionally aim a laser pointer at an aircraft face severe criminal penalties. Federal law allows for prosecution that can result in up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The FAA works closely with law enforcement to identify and prosecute offenders, relying heavily on detailed reports from pilots to build cases. The success of this collaboration is seen as a key factor in the recent decline in incidents.

In a statement accompanying the release of the 2025 statistics, Ben Supko, the FAA's Associate Administrator for the Security and Intelligence Organization, commented on the agency's strategy. “Laser strikes are decreasing, thanks to a strong pilot reporting culture that is providing the data we need for community engagement and work with local law enforcement,” Supko said. “But even one laser strike is too many when pilots have hundreds of lives in their hands.”

Future Outlook and Ongoing Efforts

The FAA plans to continue its multi-faceted approach to combatting laser strikes. This includes ongoing public service announcements through its "No Laser Zone" campaign, which educates the public on the dangers and legal consequences of pointing lasers at aircraft. The agency also provides training and resources to law enforcement to help them investigate and respond to laser incidents more effectively.

The sustained decrease over two years is a positive development, but the high volume of incidents shows that the problem is far from solved. The agency continues to encourage pilots to report every laser event immediately to air traffic control. This real-time reporting allows authorities to dispatch law enforcement to the location of the laser source, increasing the chances of apprehending the perpetrator.

Why This Matters

The consistent, albeit declining, number of laser strikes represents a persistent and entirely preventable threat to the National Airspace System. The 2025 data validates the FAA's strategy of combining public education with strict enforcement, signaling that a coordinated, data-driven approach can yield positive results. For airlines and operators, the trend reduces a key operational risk, but it also underscores the critical importance of pilot reporting protocols and crew training for handling such in-flight events. The continued high incidence in states like California and Texas highlights the need for geographically targeted interventions to protect flight crews and passengers.

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