Air traffic at Sveti Jeronim Airport in Kašteli was temporarily and completely suspended after authorities spotted a drone near the airfield. The reason for this emergency measure was the security threat posed by the unauthorised aircraft, and the procedure for the temporary suspension was carried out in accordance with existing protocols.
The unreported drone was spotted on two occasions, with a half-hour interval between each sighting. Mate Melvan from Sveti Jeronim Airport in Kašteli emphasised that the aircraft had not been reported to air traffic control, which was the key factor leading to its presence being considered a serious threat to air traffic safety.
Due to the exposed risks, authorities decided to suspend all take-offs and landings. This step was taken exclusively for security reasons, to prevent possible collisions or other dangerous situations in the airspace around the airfield.
During the suspension, which lasted two hours, numerous aircraft were forced to circle in holding patterns. Some flights could not wait for the return to the regular schedule and were diverted to alternative airports, further straining traffic in the region.
The situation at the airfield itself was tense, with passengers crowding into waiting areas during the suspension. The chaos on the ground was the result of the sudden halt to operations, while aircraft in the air awaited further instructions from air traffic controllers and confirmation that the airspace was safe again.
