On the evenings of Friday 31 October and Saturday 1 November 2026, unauthorised drone activity near Jersey Airport (EGJJ / JER) forced diversions and cancellations of late inbound flights. Ports of Jersey and States of Jersey Police described illegal drone use in restricted airspace. This is a new Channel Islands passenger-ops wave — local airfield security / drones — not the earlier Storm Austen weather cancellations on Jersey routes.
What travellers saw
On Friday, Jersey Airport said three inbound flights from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Southampton were diverted. The Gatwick service later landed around 23:45 GMT; the Heathrow and Southampton services were cancelled. Police said roughly two or three drones had entered restricted airspace and the incident was not thought linked to terrorism.
On Saturday from about 20:05 GMT, the airport again reported disruption affecting inbound flights. Jersey Airport said four flights could not land as scheduled; airlines arranged alternatives with passengers. Coverage from BBC, ITV Channel and flight-tracking reports noted a British Airways Heathrow service returning to London and a Madeira inbound diverted to Paris. ITV reported about seven flights diverted across the two evenings. Loganair said both Friday and Saturday Southampton–Jersey evening flights were cancelled, with overnight accommodation provided and extra aircraft flown from Scotland to protect early morning Jersey departures. The Government of Jersey said partners were preparing measures for further Sunday-evening risk while the police investigation continued.
If the schedule is critical
When Jersey’s only runway pauses evening arrivals for drone activity, half-term rebooking options shrink fast. If a Channel Islands connection cannot wait for the next commercial slot, a private jet or empty leg into an alternate UK or Normandy field may keep the itinerary workable once security and ATC clear. Rahizi qualifies the brief and returns partner options.
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Facts from BBC News, ITV News Channel, Jersey Airport / Ports of Jersey and States of Jersey Police statements (31 October–1 November 2026). Always verify with your carrier.
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