Overview

• On July 15, police at Puerto de la Cruz’s Virgen-del-Carmen maritime festival detected a British tourist flying an unauthorized drone over a dense crowd.
• The operator lacked mandatory AESA registration, pilot certification and liability insurance for his camera-equipped device.
• Spanish police seized the drone and opened administrative proceedings with the Aviation Safety Agency.
• The potential €225,000 fine under Spain’s drone regulations far exceeds maximum penalties in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
• Only three drones were authorized during the festival—two for police surveillance and one for event coverage—to mitigate risks over crowded public spaces.