Eight flights were diverted to different airports on Friday night after drones were spotted about a mile away near Donington Park in Leicestershire, where the Download Festival is taking place this weekend. The airport was forced to close the runway for 30 minutes, which caused a disturbance. In a joint statement, Download, Leicestershire police and East Midlands Airport said: “Recent reports of drone strikes near Donington Park have resulted in a shutdown at East Midlands Airport in recent days. “This has affected both night freight and passengers have been diverted to other airports. “The safe operation of the EMA airport and the safety of the public at the event is our first priority. “Together, the Leicestershire police, the Download Festival organizers and the airport continue to work closely together to monitor the situation. “As a result, both the festival organizers and the police have increased the number of patrols in and around the area.” Flying drones near airports is a criminal offense under the 1982 Civil Aviation Act. During the 2018 Christmas season, alleged drone sightings around Gatwick Airport led to its closure for more than a day, disrupting more than 1,000 flights. A police investigation has been launched, which has cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds, but no one has yet been brought to justice.
