National Police Detect Two Unauthorised Drones Operating in Alicante Port

National Police intervened in Alicante a drone operating in the port area without the necessary pilot qualifications or the required notifications to the Ministry of the Interior and relevant authorisations. The National Police Air Unit (Drones UAS) detected another device just before take-off, allowing its owner to avoid a potential fine of up to €225,000 for a severe violation.

The incidents were detected during a morning preventive service by this specialised unit of the National Police in Alicante, equipped with electronic detection systems that locate unmanned aircraft and their pilots.

During preventive detection tasks, officers located a drone operating in FPV mode (first-person view), which requires the pilot to be accompanied by an observer providing direct visual information of the surroundings, according to the Police. However, the pilot was operating alone, without the mandatory observer.

After conducting the necessary checks on-site, it was confirmed that the pilot was not registered as a UAS operator, had not notified the Ministry of the Interior about the flight, and lacked the formal training required to operate the device in that environment. Although he claimed to know the aircraft's manual, this alone does not exempt him from fulfilling other legal obligations.

Due to the detected violations, officers temporarily seized the drone, informing the operator of the potential administrative consequences of non-compliance with current regulations.

During the morning, a second operator was located about to initiate a flight with his device. When approached by officers, he did not launch the drone, saving him from a potential sanction proposal as he had not notified the Ministry of the Interior about the flight.

Both aircraft were located in the port area, an airspace where authorisation is mandatory for UAS drone operations. To ensure the safety of aircraft and people on the ground, geographical zones in Spain ('GEO' zones) have been established where drone operations are permitted, restricted, or excluded, depending on the location and aircraft used. These zones can be consulted on the official AESA pages (mobile app or web https://drones.enaire.es).

The National Police reminds that flying a drone entails legal responsibilities and that to do so safely and legally, it is essential to meet the following requirements, according to Royal Decree 517/2024 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947. Penalties are outlined in Law 21/2003, on Air Safety:

Being registered as a UAS operator with AESA (State Aviation Safety Agency), having the necessary training and certification according to the type of flight and category (open, specific, or certified); possessing knowledge of the drone's user manual, and having civil liability insurance if required by the category or flight zone.

Additionally, flights must be communicated to authorities when conducted in areas where notification or authorisation is mandatory, such as urban areas. This communication can be made on the website https://www.interior.gob.es in the relevant citizen services section, at least five days in advance. Furthermore, in the case of FPV flights, the pilot must be accompanied by a visual observer.

Failure to comply with these obligations can result in significant financial penalties, the seizure of the drone, and even criminal liabilities if the improper use of the aircraft causes harm to people, property, or interferes with air operations.

Such actions can be sanctioned by AESA with fines of up to €45,000 for minor violations, up to €90,000 for serious violations, and up to €225,000 for very serious violations.

The National Police emphasises the importance of being adequately informed before operating a drone and provides citizens with the usual channels for anonymous reporting of these incidents.