A tourist has been issued a potential fine of up to €200,000 after allegedly flying a drone without authorisation during a major religious festival in the Canary Islands, Spanish police have confirmed.
The incident took place on July 15 during the Virgen del Carmen celebrations in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, an annual maritime procession that attracts thousands of attendees.
According to the Canarian Weekly, the drone was spotted hovering over the densely packed event by officers from Spain’s National Police.
Authorities immediately launched an investigation to identify the operator of the unauthorised device. The drone was quickly traced back to a tourist staying at Hotel Las Águilas, located in the upper part of the town.
When questioned by officers, the individual admitted to not holding a drone pilot licence, not possessing civil liability insurance, and being unfamiliar with Spanish and EU drone regulations.
The drone was confiscated on the spot, and the matter was referred to the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) for administrative action.
Under Spanish and EU law, all drone flights in urban areas, over crowds, or during public events require prior authorisation. Operators must also be registered, properly trained, insured, and follow strict geographic and safety guidelines.
At the Virgen del Carmen event, only three drones were authorised to fly: two operated by the National Police for surveillance and one for official event coverage.
Violations of Spain’s drone laws are considered serious, particularly when public safety is at risk. Fines vary depending on the severity of the infraction, and according to AESA, can fall into the following categories:
- €60 to €45,000 for minor infractions, such as flying without insurance
- €45,001 to €90,000 for serious offences, such as flying in restricted airspace
- €90,001 to €225,000 for grave breaches, including endangering people or interfering with regulated airspace
In this case, police believe the unauthorised flight qualifies as a very serious offence, due to the potential risks posed to festival-goers and the disruption of authorised drone operations.
Spanish authorities are now warning tourists that drones are not toys and that flying them without fulfilling legal requirements can lead to substantial fines and criminal charges in some cases.
Visitors intending to fly a drone in Spain — especially drones weighing more than 250 g or equipped with cameras — are advised to take the following steps:
- Register as a drone operator with AESA
- Complete basic online training (open category – free)
- Label the drone with your operator ID
- Obtain civil liability insurance (strongly recommended)
- Use the ENAIRE Drones app to check approved flight zones
- Avoid flying in urban areas, over people, near airports, or within protected zones without explicit authorisation
Local officials in the Canary Islands have reiterated that ignorance of the law is no defence. They strongly encourage all tourists to research current drone regulations and seek necessary approvals before flying any unmanned aircraft, particularly during high-profile public gatherings.
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