Illegal drone intercepted 2km from airport
The Guardia Civil intercepted and fined a drone pilot who was flying illegally in Playa Blanca, Puerto del Rosario, less than two kilometres from the northern end of Fuerteventura Airport’s runway.
The incident was reported after a member of the public alerted officers to the drone, which was flying at a height of just 20 metres above a group of surfers.
A patrol from the Fiscal and Borders unit at the airport was dispatched and quickly confirmed that the drone was operating inside restricted airspace (the ATZ aerodrome zone), which is under permanent air traffic control.
The unmanned aircraft, a DJI Mini 2 Pro weighing 249 grams, was being flown without any authorisation, in breach of both Spanish and EU aviation safety regulations.
Authorities stressed that this type of activity creates a “serious risk”; a falling drone could injure people on the ground, but it also poses a serious risk to aircraft during take-off and landing.
The Guardia Civil reminded the public that flying drones near airports is strictly prohibited unless expressly authorised by the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA). Breaches of air safety rules are classified as serious offences under Article 48.3 of Spain’s Air Safety Law (21/2003), carrying heavy fines ranging from €90,001 to €225,000.
They also reiterated that drone pilots are legally required to understand and comply with current European and national regulations, specifically EU Regulation 2019/947, which governs the safe use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Drone rules in Spain
If you plan to bring or use a drone in the Canary Islands, it’s important to know the basic rules:
- No drones near airports: Flying is strictly prohibited within 8 kilometres of any airport or airfield unless you have official authorisation.
- Respect altitude limits: The maximum legal flying height is 120 metres.
- Stay away from crowds: You cannot fly over groups of people, beaches, concerts, or built-up areas without a professional licence and special permission.
- Keep line of sight: You must always be able to see your drone with the naked eye while operating it.
- Insurance and registration: Drones over 250 grams must be registered, and insurance is strongly recommended even for lighter models.
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