Drone spotted 30 metres from plane at Auckland Airport 28 Apr, 2021 08:15 AM 4 minutes to read The drone sighting sparked incoming flight delays. Photo / 123rf NZ Herald Flights were suspended temporarily at Auckland Airport last night causing some international and domestic arrival delays after a drone was spotted by a pilot. A Barrier Air flight pilot saw the drone at 5pm, reporting it came within around 30m of the aircraft. Read More "This temporarily delayed domestic and international arrivals. Normal operations resumed at 5.45pm." Advertisement There have been 21 drone incursions reported in controlled airspace in the year to date. "These are events where a drone is flying without authorisation in controlled airspace and is close enough to an aircraft or airfield to be spotted by pilots, air traffic controllers or members of the public."