An Aer Lingus aircraft approaching Dublin Airport on Saturday evening reported a very close encounter with an object described as a possible drone above Dublin Bay. The pilot relayed the incident to air traffic control, describing a red object that was approximately 20 meters to the left side of the aircraft during its descent near Howth. The event took place shortly after 6:15 p.m., when the aircraft was flying at about 3,200 feet, or 975 meters above ground level. According to Irish public broadcaster RTE, the pilot said, "We believe we have just crossed paths with a drone at our current position, at 3,200 feet, red in color." The captain then added that the object was "approximately 20 meters on our left side." Following the report, AirNav Ireland, the Irish air navigation service provider, was immediately alerted and informed subsequent aircraft using the same approach path. The organization also reported the incident to the Garda, the Irish police, and other relevant authorities. Air traffic control advised approaching crews to continue on the initial approach path while remaining alert to the object or to choose an alternative route. One crew decided to continue the approach while monitoring the area, while another opted for an alternate route. Four aircraft followed the initial path without reporting any new observations. Aer Lingus confirmed it was aware of the report but did not provide further details about the flight or the object's identity. The Garda has since launched an investigation into the incident. If the object was indeed a recreational drone, its reported altitude raises serious safety concerns. At 3,200 feet, the device would have been flying approximately eight times higher than the general limit for "open" category drone operations in Ireland, which is 120 meters, or 400 feet, above ground level. Pilots operating drones in this category are required to maintain visual contact with their device. Additionally, the Irish Aviation Authority has emphasized that unauthorized drone use within a 5 km radius of Dublin Airport is illegal and poses a significant risk to manned aircraft. The reported distance of 20 meters is extremely close on the scale of a commercial approach. At this stage of the flight, the aircraft is typically configured for landing, flying at a lower speed and altitude than during cruise, but it remains vulnerable to collisions with objects in its path. This incident highlights the challenges faced by air traffic control services, which must act swiftly on pilot reports, even when no ground detection confirms an intrusion. They must alert other aircraft, allow them to make operational decisions, and coordinate with law enforcement — all while avoiding unnecessary disruptions to air traffic. This report is the second suspected drone encounter reported by a pilot approaching Dublin in less than 15 days. On September 8, an Aer Lingus crew had reported a large black object, possibly a drone, at around 6,000 feet off the coast of County Wicklow as the aircraft approached the Irish capital.