The FAA has reported that laser strikes on aircraft declined for the third consecutive year, with incidents falling 24 per cent between January and July 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Despite this encouraging trend, there were still 4,470 reported cases, highlighting that this remains a significant safety concern for aviation.

California and Texas reported the most incidents at 614 and 445 respectively, though New Mexico and Hawaii had the highest rates per capita. The practice is a federal crime with serious consequences: pilots have reported 322 injuries since tracking began in 2010, and perpetrators face FAA fines up to $11,000 per violation, federal criminal penalties of up to five years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, plus potential state and local penalties.