Drone near-misses surge at busiest US airports amid rise in unauthorized flights

Following several months of numerous high-profile aviation accidents, new data suggest pilots are facing a specific threat when it comes to keeping airline passengers safe in the skies. Last year, drones accounted for approximately two-thirds of reported near-midair collisions with commercial aircraft taking off or landing within the country's 30 busiest airports, according to the Associated Press. The findings come as aviation safety data indicate drones accounted for the highest number of near-misses since 2020, with the first reports dating back to 2014. "The rise in recreational and commercial drone use has simply outpaced education and enforcement," aviation attorney Jason Matzus told Fox News Digital. "More people are flying drones without fully understanding the rules or the risks."