THE importation of laser pointers is likely to be outlawed after six flights into Sydney were thrown into chaos.

The federal Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, said the powerful beams should be treated as a serious weapon.

Mr Debus said yesterday the co-ordinated attack using four green lasers on Friday - which forced air-traffic controllers to change the flight paths of the six aircraft - was very serious. Penalties for offenders would be increased.

"The use of these laser pointers against aeroplanes is unbelievably stupid and cannot be tolerated," Mr Debus said.

"It's obvious that we cannot tolerate this sort of use of these devices when they obviously bring so much potential danger to the lives of aircraft passengers."