The airport’s runway had to be closed, forcing several flights to be rerouted to other airports. The drones were sighted near the Download Festival venue at Donington Park this weekend.
After drones were discovered nearby, East Midlands Airport had to close its runway and divert several planes.
The disruption was caused by the airport’s decision to close the runway for 30 minutes.
Download, Leicestershire Police, and East Midlands Airport issued a joint statement stating: “Recent drone sighting claims in Donington Park have caused operational disruptions at East Midlands airport in recent days.
“This has impacted both nighttime cargo operations and passenger diversion to alternative airports.
“Priority number one is the safe functioning of the EMA airfield and the protection of the people during the event.
“Leicestershire Police, Download festival organizers, and the airport continue to monitor the situation in close collaboration.
As a result, event organizers and police have increased the number of patrols on-site and in the surrounding region.
Under the Civil Aviation Act of 1982, it is illegal to fly drones near airports.
During the 2018 Christmas season, purported drone sightings near Gatwick airport led to the airport’s shut down for more than a day, affecting more than 1,000 flights.
A police inquiry was initiated at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds to the taxpayer, but no one has been brought to justice as of yet.
