The British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) says it wants to see all drone owners register their devices with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and familiarise themselves with the CAA’s drone code, external.

Stuart Clarke, a flight safety advisor for Balpa, says pilots are increasingly reporting spotting drones near airports across the country.

He said: “Drones and aircraft don’t mix at all.

“A drone that is too close might hit the airplane, and when the engines are going at max power, they might be sucked into the engines, and that really can’t afford to happen.

“Drone operators are aviators, please go and read the rules, educate yourself and we can all fly safely alongside each other.”