The irresponsible and illegal use of drones is a growing problem for the largest owner of Norwegian airports, Avinor. This has major consequences for passengers, airlines and the airport itself in the form of delays, costs and re-routing of traffic. Several drone users have received large fines after illegal flights. Mats Gjertsen says Avinor takes illegal drone use near airports very seriously. Photo: Thor-Albert Frøsland – In the worst case scenario, a collision between a plane and a drone can lead to a plane crash. At Avinor, we take drone use around the airports very seriously, and will report to the police any case where drones pose a danger to air traffic, says Mats Gjertsen, head of traffic management and detection of drones at Avinor. Violation of the regulations can lead to major personal consequences for the drone operator. If an airport has to close because a drone has been observed in the area, it can trigger a liability in the millions. – Illegal drone flying has in several cases severely disrupted air traffic at several of Avinor’s airports, says Gjertsen. Even small drones can cause great damage if they hit an aircraft Photo: Avinor Report, fines and compensation All illegal drone flights are reported by Avinor and the police take such reports seriously. The police react sharply to illegal drone flying and the fines are high, says police inspector Per Øyvind Haugen in the Norwegian Police Directorate Photo: Norwegian Police Directorate – The police cooperate with several actors to deal with the challenges we see coming up in the air, says Per Øyvind Haugen, police inspector in the Norwegian Police Directorate to news. The technology is developing rapidly and this creates challenges in terms of, among other things, the legislation. – We in the police have a need to get an overview of what drones are used for, explains Haugen. – We have a perception that many of those who buy drones for private use do not know the regulations well enough and we react in several ways if we receive a report, he explains. The police issue fines for illegal drone flying and Avinor demands compensation if air traffic is disrupted. The fines start at NOK eight thousand and go up, depending on the degree of severity. The police are worried about the increase in illegal drone flying Photo: NTB New requirements for drones Because the police often do not know who flies a drone, new requirements for drones sold here in Norway will come from 2024. All drones must be identifiable and the driver of the drone must also be known. Familiarize yourself with the regulations and take the drone course, urges inspector Hans Petter Heimro of the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority Photo: Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority The drone must then send out signals about both itself and where the operator is on the ground, which makes it easier to identify and find the person, about the drone flown illegally. Many people who buy a drone may not be aware of which rules apply. – If a drone weighs more than 250 grams, you must register at flydrone.no, have passed the exam to fly it and also have taken out liability insurance, says inspector of the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority Hans Petter Heimro to news. He adds that drones registered as toys are exempt from the regulations. From 2024, there is a requirement that both drone and driver must be identified Photo: Idun Aalbu Rasmussen
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