WarSclerotic

An Israeli technology company says its anti-drone system is drawing major interest after rogue unmanned aircraft sowed chaos at London’s Gatwick Airport last week.

Britain’s second-busiest airport was paralyzed for 36 hours, stranding thousands of passengers days before Christmas over the prospect of a plane colliding with what police described as industrial-grade drones.

A British couple was arrested in connection with the incident, but both were later released without charge. The investigation into who flew the drones is ongoing, U.K. authorities said.

Israeli company Skylock is part of a growing industry specializing in detecting and downing intruder drones by disrupting their frequencies.

The company said Tuesday that since the Gatwick episode it has seen a 40% spike in inquiries into its product.

Product manager Asaf Lebovitz said the company, which emerged to target militant drone use in Syria, has shifted its focus to commercial applications and has been approached by airports in North America and Europe.

Noam Milstein, drone operations chief for Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority, said such systems are “obviously becoming crucial to prevent drone incursions from those who don’t care about the regulations in place.”