The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that pilot-reported laser strikes in the National Airspace System have declined for the third consecutive year, with 4,470 strikes reported in 2026, a 24 percent decrease from the same point last year.
The FAA said it conducts outreach and training with local, state, and federal law enforcement, and that strikes reached an all-time high of 13,304 in 2023.
The agency warned that holiday laser-light displays can pose a safety risk when aimed into the sky, as concentrated beams can distract or temporarily blind pilots.
The FAA stated that 322 injuries have been reported since it began tracking laser strike data in 2010. Shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime, with fines up to $11,000 per violation.
