Drone company faces up to 4.5 million euro fine for unauthorized shows in Tenerife

The Guardia Civil has filed a denuncia (official complaint) against a company conducting drone shows in Tenerife and El Hierro without proper authorization from the State Air Safety Agency, violating strict regulations.

In a press release, the Guardia Civil stated that penalties could reach up to €4.5 million, revealing that the company allegedly staged its performances in the municipalities of Santiago del Teide (Tenerife) and Valverde (El Hierro) between July and November of this year.

The statement emphasized, "These types of events can pose a high risk and must be carried out by specialized technical personnel under strict safety measures, both on the ground and during the flight."

Additionally, the flights were not reported to the Ministry del Interior, as required by current regulations for populated areas, nor to the Valverde de El Hierro airport or the heliport of the Valverde Hospital, posing a serious risk to other aircraft, according to the Guardia Civil.

Nighttime drone shows, known as "swarms," involve the simultaneous flight of a large number of luminous drones, nearly 200 in the case of this operator. These drones can create various shapes in the sky for the enjoyment of the audience on the ground, utilizing sophisticated computer programs and the coordination of multiple pilots.

"However, misuse of these systems can result in accidents. Currently, there are very few companies authorized by the State Air Safety Agency in Spain that can offer these services, which are increasingly popular as a silent alternative to conventional fireworks," says the statement.

Regarding penalties, while the highest fines can reach €4.5 million, for minor infractions, a warning or a fine ranging from €4,500 to €70,000 may be imposed. For serious offences, fines range from €70,001 to €250,000, and for very serious violations, fines range from €250,001 to €4,500,000. This case is seen as a very serious infraction.