Drone warning at East Midlands Airport ahead of Download Festival

An airport has warned drone pilots to avoid its airspace while a rock festival is taking place nearby.

In 2022, drones near the Download Festival in Donington Park, Leicestershire closed East Midlands Airport's airspace on at least four occasions.

And in 2023, “anti-drone officers” deployed by Derbyshire Police spotted an amateur pilot entering restricted airspace during a flight.

He was subsequently fined almost £1,500 by the court.

Ahead of next month's download, the airport has urged people to stay away from drones.

A spokesman said: “The airport would advise anyone wishing to film the festival that flying drones near the airport is illegal.”

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

“The flight of drones puts airport operations at risk and can potentially lead to the diversion of passenger flights and delays to air cargo flights.”

Passengers flying at the same time as the nearby East Midlands Airport have also been warned to allow extra travel time.

Last summer, the Donington Park Festival caused “unprecedented” congestion on major roads, including the M1, A42, A50 and A453, and passengers missed flights.

Download has introduced new traffic management measures this year, but with significant traffic expected, the airport has issued a warning.

The three-day event is expected to attract about 75,000 people from June 14 to 16. Campsites will open from 12:00 BST on Wednesday June 12th.

Headline acts for 2024 are Queens of the Stone Age, Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold.

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