As severe winter storms continue to disrupt air travel across the United States, new research suggests that weather is no longer the only major threat to flight schedules. A growing number of flight delays and cancellations are now being linked to illegal drone activity near airports, creating what aviation experts describe as a rapidly escalating safety concern.
According to a new study by Getac, drones caused 749 flight delays across U.S. airports between January and September 2025, highlighting a sharp rise in disruptions unrelated to weather or mechanical issues. The research analyzed Federal Aviation Administration data to identify where drone sightings most frequently interfere with air traffic.
Boston Leads the Nation in Drone-Related Flight Disruptions
Boston, Massachusetts, is ranked as the U.S. city most affected by drone activity near airports. The data show that 141 flights were disrupted by drone sightings in the Boston area during the nine-month study period. All reported drone-related delays in Massachusetts occurred in Boston alone, underscoring the scale of the issue around Logan International Airport.
Concerns intensified in December 2025 when two individuals were arrested for operating a drone dangerously close to airport airspace. Officials described the frequency of sightings as alarming, particularly given the risk of collision with passenger aircraft.
New York and Los Angeles Follow Closely
New York ranked second nationwide, with 76 drone sightings leading to flight delays. In one notable incident, Stewart International Airport was forced to temporarily close runways due to repeated drone activity. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has since called for a full investigation into the growing number of illegal drone operations near the state’s airports.
Los Angeles placed third, with 48 flights disrupted due to drones. The findings reinforce California’s position as a hotspot for unauthorized drone use, driven in part by high drone ownership and dense urban airspace.
Top 10 U.S. Cities Most Affected by Drone-Related Flight Delays
- Boston, Massachusetts – 141
- New York, New York – 76
- Los Angeles, California – 48
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 43
- Phoenix, Arizona – 32
- San Diego, California – 28
- Denver, Colorado – 27
- Houston, Texas – 26
- Las Vegas, Nevada – 24
- Miami, Florida – 23
Philadelphia ranked fourth, with 43 flight delays, as the city continues to enforce strict drone regulations near airports and landmark buildings. Phoenix followed in fifth place, while San Diego reported a serious near miss in August when a drone was spotted just 75 feet above an active runway.
State-Level Data Highlights Growing Nationwide Risk
At the state level, Massachusetts recorded the highest number of drone-related flight delays overall, followed by California and New York. Texas and Florida rounded out the top five, reflecting the widespread nature of the issue across multiple regions.
Between January and September 2025, California alone recorded 102 flight disruptions caused by drone sightings, while Texas logged 62 and Florida 56.
Safety Concerns and Calls for Stronger Enforcement
A spokesperson for Getac warned that the rise in unauthorized drone activity presents a serious risk to aviation safety.
“Near misses between drones and passenger aircraft are becoming increasingly common,” the spokesperson said. “If a collision were to occur, the consequences could be catastrophic. This data highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement, improved detection systems, and better public awareness of drone laws.”
The spokesperson also emphasized that shooting down drones near airports is not a viable solution due to safety risks. Instead, the study points to the need for advanced detection technologies, including military-grade surveillance tools and AI-based systems capable of rapidly identifying unauthorized drones in restricted airspace.
Winter Travel Faces Compounding Challenges
The findings come amid widespread winter travel disruption. On January 26 alone, more than 6,000 flights were canceled and 7,000 were delayed across the United States due to severe weather. The emergence of drones as an additional source of disruption further complicates efforts to maintain safe and reliable air travel during peak winter months.
Methodology
The research examined FAA-reported drone sightings that directly resulted in flight delays. Data was collected from January through September 2025 and analyzed by city and state to identify areas facing the highest levels of disruption.
As drone ownership continues to expand nationwide, the study suggests that without stronger safeguards and detection systems, illegal drone activity could become a persistent threat to airport operations and passenger safety across the U.S.