Fines Ranging From €1,000 To €225,000 For 3 Drone Operators In Marbella

The Spanish National Police’s Aerial Unit successful Malaga has issued a stern informing aft intercepting 3 unauthorised drones flying complete nan Ironman 70.3 World Championship people successful Marbella earlier successful November. The owners of which now look fines ranging from €1,000 to €225,000 and imperishable confiscation of their aircraft.

The drones were detected and brought down utilizing anti-drone systems deployed arsenic portion of nan information cognition for nan world triathlon event. According to Nacional Police sources, nan devices were operating successful adjacent proximity to nan title way without nan mandatory aeronautical coordination aliases authorisation from nan Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA).

Drone information – large fines

“Ensuring nan information of ample nationalist events is our priority,” a spokesman for nan Malaga Provincial Police Headquarters said. “These unauthorised flights not only violated existent authorities but besides posed a existent consequence to athletes, spectators and low-flying emergency helicopters.”

All 3 pilots were identified connected nan ground, nan drones were seized, and good proposals person been forwarded to AESA nether nan Air Safety Law 21/2003. Penalties of this magnitude are reserved for superior aliases very superior infringements, peculiarly erstwhile nationalist information is endangered.

Police opportunity that moreover drones weighing nether 250 grams, often listed arsenic “toy” models, are not exempt from regulation. While they do not require aviator training certificates, owners must still registry arsenic operators (if nan instrumentality has a camera), cheque restricted airspace via nan ENAIRE Drones app, and comply pinch each formation restrictions. In eastbound Andalusia during 2024, 90 per cent of drone-related fines progressive these lightweight models.

Nationwide, unauthorised drone sightings person forced nan impermanent closure of airspace astatine 5 Spanish airports truthful acold this year, portion of a Europe-wide inclination successful threats to commercialized aerial postulation from drones.

Advice for drone hobbyists connected nan Costa del Sol

If you bask flying drones recreationally on nan beaches and mountains of Malaga province, travel these elemental rules to enactment ineligible and debar dense fines:

1. Register for free arsenic an usability connected nan AESA website (seguridadaerea.gob.es) and show your usability number connected each drone pinch a camera aliases weighing complete 250 g – moreover nan celebrated DJI Mini series.
2. Before each flight, unfastened nan ENAIRE Drones app aliases website and cheque nan real-time map. Large parts of nan Costa del Sol (especially adjacent Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, heliports, and municipality Marbella) are permanently restricted aliases require anterior coordination.
3. Never alert complete crowds, beaches pinch bathers, aliases sporting events. Keep astatine slightest 8 km distant from immoderate airdrome aliases helipad and enactment beneath 120 metres altitude.
4. Take nan free online A1/A3 exam connected nan AESA level (takes astir 40 minutes) – it’s mandatory for astir drones and gives you bid of mind.
5. Buy third-party liability security (from astir €30–60 per year) – it’s compulsory for almost each outdoor flights.
6. During large events (Starlite Festival, Ironman, Grand Prix, etc.), expect heightened surveillance and full no-fly zones enforced by constabulary anti-drone teams.

Flying responsibly keeps nan skies unfastened for everyone. One infinitesimal of carelessness adjacent a crowded formation aliases arena tin costs you nan drone and tens – aliases hundreds – of thousands of euros. When successful doubt, don’t launch.