Organised Crime and General Aviation in the UK and Benelux

Cathy Haenlein

17 September 2026Long Read

An elegant plane flies through a blue sky.

This paper examines how organised crime exploits general aviation and drones in the UK and the Benelux, revealing critical security vulnerabilities.

Overview

This paper shows how organised crime exploits vulnerabilities in general aviation and drone use across the UK and Benelux, posing a significant border security risk.

Key Recommendations

Develop a clear strategic framework on general aviation misuse.
Make intelligence assessment of general aviation misuse a sustained priority.
Make electronic conspicuity mandatory for all aircraft.
Establish a multi-agency coordination structure for criminal drone misuse.

The paper highlights the urgent need for improved oversight and proactive strategies to address evolving threats in general aviation and drone systems, calling for greater strategic focus on the issue.