‘Dangerous’ laser strikes on airplanes up 40 per cent

A pilot in a simulator gets trained to land a plane while the laser is pointed into the cockpit. (File)

Federal transportation officials are teaming up with local police agencies to shine a light on the growing problem of laser pointers being pointed at aircrafts.

Transport Canada says last year there were more than 500 laser strikes on airplanes, an increase of more than 40 per cent from the year previous.

Of the nearly 300 strikes so far in 2015, 47 were in B.C.

Richmond MP Alice Wong said with lasers readily available and inexpensive online, they are a “real and growing problem.”

“This is a threat to safety that we must address,” she told reporters at an event at YVR in conjunction with RCMP.

“Pointing a laser at aircraft can distract pilots, create glare that affects their vision and causes temporary blindness. It has the potential of causing a major accident and puts pilots, passengers and people on the ground in serious risk.”

This weekend, the RCMP Air 2 helicopter was struck by a laser while patrolling in Port Moody.

The federal government has just launched the information website “Not a Bright Idea” as part of a national safety awareness campaign to educate the public about the risk of laser strikes.

“This is a very serious safety risk and that’s why we’re promoting the education and knowledge that pointing a laser anywhere near an aircraft, or an airport, is a dumb thing to do,” said Steve Hankinson of the YVR Airport Authority.

Offenders can be charged criminally and face fines of up to $100,000 and five years in prison.

Transportation Canada says anyone who sees someone shining a laser should alert police.