Information Could Be Worth One Million Yuan

Amid reports of several incidents involving drones near Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in the southwestern province of Sichuan in China, dronemaker DJI is offering a reward of up to one million Yuan, or about $145,000, for information about the pilot or pilots in the incidents.

The website uavcoach.com reports that the incidents occurred on April 14, 17, 18 and 21. Drones flying near the airport reportedly interfered with more than 100 flights, forcing them to make unscheduled landings or returns. As many as 10,000 passengers were reportedly affected.

Since the first of the year, there have been some 15 reported cases of drones flying near airports in China. In 2016, there were 23 for the entire year, and only 4 in 2015, according to the report.

DJI announced the reward on their website. “We hope to help the police solve these cases as soon as possible, to clear up the unnecessary misunderstanding about the [drone] industry,” said  Wang Fan, Director of Public Relations for DJI.

DJI at first said their geofencing software would have prevented their drones from being involved in the incidents near airports. But after an investigation, the company acknowledged that the drones in question were in fact DJI aircraft. They said that a third part app was likely used to allow the operators to get around the geofencing system.

Police have detained two men in connection with the incidents, but no further information has been released. The reward is being offered through December 31, according to DJI.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Report