Download Festival 2024: East Midlands Airport issues drone warning ahead of popular music event

Ria Ghei
By Ria Ghei
Published 20th May 2024, 13:12 BST
East Midlands Airport is warning people of the illegality of flying drones close to the airport. It is a reminder for music fans who may want to capture aerial footage of Download Festival, one of the largest rock festivals in the UK.East Midlands Airport is warning people of the illegality of flying drones close to the airport. It is a reminder for music fans who may want to capture aerial footage of Download Festival, one of the largest rock festivals in the UK.
East Midlands Airport is warning people of the illegality of flying drones close to the airport. It is a reminder for music fans who may want to capture aerial footage of Download Festival, one of the largest rock festivals in the UK. | Derbyshire Police SWNS
Illegal drone activity could put East Midland’s Airport operation ‘at risk,’ disrupt flights and impact safety of travellers

Music fans at Download Festival are being warned by East Midlands Airport (EMA) to exercise caution if they plan on capturing footage by drone.

The local airport issued the warning ahead of one of the UK’s biggest rock festivals that is set to take place next month.

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EMA is based at Castle Donington. Download Festival takes place at Donington Park which is approximately four miles away from the airport.

EMA said: ‘We are reminding anyone planning to film the festival that it is illegal to fly drones close to the airport.

‘This follows a successful prosecution last year when a drone was used to film the festival.

‘Flying drones puts the airport operation at risk, potentially leading to passenger flights being diverted and causing delays to air cargo flights.’

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The airport’s warning seeks to remind drone pilots of potential disruption their activity can cause, at the rock festival in the vicinity.

In 2022, illegal drone activity near Download Festival saw East Midlands Airport airspace close four times.

In 2023, an amateur pilot who wanted to film aerial footage of the rock festival, was fined nearly £1,500 after Derbyshire Police detected illegal drone activity using ‘counter-drone officers.’

EMA also issued a travel warning urging people to factor in more time for travel whilst Download Festival is underway.

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Download Festival is a three-day event running from June 14 - 16 at Donington Park, near the airport.

Campsites at the park are set to open on Wednesday June 12, and the event is expected to attract approximately 75,000 revellers.

Go beyond just reading the story - sign up for the DerbyWorld newsletter EMA warned travellers to expect ‘significant traffic’ affecting roads around the airport including the M1, A42, A50 and A453.

The airport has over 300 flights arriving and departing over the course of the festival’s three days and has arranged for airlines to alert their passengers to potential delays.

EMA say Airport representatives have been in regular dialogue with festival organisers to understand their traffic plans.

Related topics:Download FestivalDroneTraffic

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