Drones in Aviation Security: Past, Present, and Future

By Rose Marengo and Alexandra Kicior

In March 2025, LAM LHA's Managing Partner, Anne Marie Pellerin, chaired the AVSEC track at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Madrid. Among the topics discussed was the growing presence of drones in airports. Panel participants underscored the dual impact of drones: innovative and promising security solutions on the one hand, and an emerging threat on the other. A few weeks have now passed since the conclusion of PTE, and we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the key lessons learned with regards to current trends, challenges, and opportunities for drones in aviation.

Drones as safety & security solutions.

In the early 2000s, airports began experimenting with drones for perimeter surveillance and infrastructure inspection. Since then, the use of drones for runway inspections, perimeter surveillance, and rapid response to security breaches has grown significantly.

Recent examples illustrate this shift. At a Southern California airport, drones outfitted with geographic information systems (GIS) and AI capabilities pinpointed the source of a roof leak with precise geolocation, reducing inspection time and guiding targeted repairs. Meanwhile, São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport has employed drones for perimeter patrols – monitoring for fire hazards, wildlife interference, and unauthorized entry. Across multiple use cases, drones deliver real-time imagery and incident assessments, allowing security teams to respond with greater speed and clarity.

Despite this notable increase in drone use, several challenges remain: 1) regulatory hurdles (the lack of standardized regulations across countries complicates drone operations) 2) technology limitations (issues such as limited battery life, susceptibility to weather conditions, and potential signal interference) and 3) public perception (privacy concerns related to drone surveillance can lead to public resistance, necessitating transparent communication about drone operations and data handling).

Drones as emerging threats.

As witnessed during the 2018 incident at Gatwick Airport, intrusions from unauthorized drones have required airports to invest in counter-drone solutions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) receives over 100 reports every month of unmanned aircraft sightings near airports.

Some companies have developed specific systems to detect and mitigate unauthorized drone activities near airports—using a combination of radar, radio frequency detection, and artificial intelligence to identify potential threats. In 2020, IATA developed targeted guidance material for the detection, response, and recovery from unauthorized drones in the vicinity of airports.

Future Outlook.

Looking ahead, the use of drones in aviation is sure to increase, and we are likely to see further developments in the following areas:

• Advanced Autonomy: Drones will incorporate artificial intelligence for autonomous navigation, real-time decision-making, and adaptive responses to dynamic environments.
• Integration with Air Traffic Management: Efforts are underway to integrate drones into existing air traffic management systems, ensuring safe coexistence with manned aircraft.
• Enhanced Counter-Drone Measures: The development of sophisticated counter-drone technologies will be crucial in mitigating unauthorized drone activities.
• Regulatory Evolution: Governments and aviation authorities are expected to establish comprehensive frameworks governing drone operations, addressing safety, privacy, and security concerns.

Drones are no longer peripheral to aviation.  Rather, they are playing a key role in the sector’s transformation. As airports adapt to both the risks and rewards of drone technology, stakeholders must navigate a rapidly evolving mix of technical and regulatory considerations. LAM LHA remains committed to staying at the forefront of these developments, ensuring that technology builders and the customers they serve efficiently and effectively adapt to the changing landscape.

For further insights into the evolving role of drones in aviation and the changing nature of the regulatory landscape, let’s chat!