New York airports and control towers are on pace for a significant reduction in laser strikes on aircraft this year, even as the number of incidents reported on Long Island remains dangerously high, according to new data released by the FAA.

Through the end of July, the Federal Aviation Administration received reports of 209 laser strikes on pilots across New York State, compared with 531 such incidents in all of 2024 , according to agency figures released last week.

Shining a laser at an aircraft can incapacitate pilots as they're flying planes with hundreds of passengers aboard, according to FAA officials.

Robert Schneider, Long Island MacArthur Airport's aviation commissioner, said the drop in laser incidents is a positive step that increases safety for pilots and passengers alike.

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