Dutch Aviation Court Cases: Drone Operators Fined for Flying in Restricted Areas

Overview

A recent Dutch aviation court hearing in Haarlem on October 9, 2025, resulted in convictions for multiple aviation violations, including two significant drone-related cases that highlight the increasing enforcement of drone regulations in the Netherlands.

Key Drone Cases

Case 1: Schiphol Restricted Airspace Violation – €250 Fine

A 44-year-old Polish national was fined €250 for operating a drone within the Controlled Traffic Region (CTR) of Schiphol Airport on August 21, 2024. The operator claimed ignorance of the 6-kilometer restricted zone around the airport, stating he only knew about the airport itself being off-limits.

Critical Points:

• Police used specialized equipment to detect and locate the drone operator
• The Public Prosecutor emphasized that drone operators should use the GoDrone app to check restricted areas
• The operator ignored an initial fine offer, leading to court proceedings
• Failure to pay could result in 5 days imprisonment

Case 2: Police Station and Hospital Zone Flight – €400 Fine

A 21-year-old man from Tolbert was fined €400 for flying his drone over a police station and within a geographical zone near a hospital in Groningen on February 19, 2024. An alert police officer spotted the drone and immediately responded to the location.

Aggravating Circumstances:

• Flying over a police station is explicitly prohibited
• Operation within hospital zones could interfere with emergency helicopter operations
• The flight posed potential risks to emergency medical services
• The operator claimed no malicious intent, saying he was “dragged along by friends”

Enforcement Insights

Detection Capabilities

The cases demonstrate Dutch authorities’ sophisticated drone detection capabilities:

• Police can detect illegal drone operations in real-time
• Equipment allows for precise operator location identification
• Quick response times enable immediate intervention

Legal Precedents

The court’s decisions establish important precedents:

• Ignorance of restricted areas is not a valid defense
• Drone operators are expected to use official resources like the GoDrone app
• Higher fines for operations near sensitive infrastructure (police, hospitals)

Industry Implications

For Commercial Operators

These cases reinforce the importance of:

• Thorough pre-flight planning using official apps
• Understanding local regulations and restricted zones
• Maintaining awareness of surrounding infrastructure

For Recreational Pilots

The prosecutions highlight that recreational flying requires:

• Knowledge of local no-fly zones
• Responsibility for understanding regulations
• Awareness that penalties can be substantial

Technology and Resources

The Public Prosecutor specifically mentioned the GoDrone app as an essential tool for Dutch drone operators. This official application provides real-time information about restricted areas and flying conditions.

Conclusion

These Dutch court cases demonstrate the increasing enforcement of drone regulations across Europe. The substantial fines and immediate detection capabilities send a clear message about the importance of regulatory compliance. As drone integration into airspace continues, similar enforcement actions are likely to increase across other European nations.

For drone operators, these cases underscore the critical importance of using official resources, understanding local regulations, and maintaining awareness of surrounding infrastructure before every flight.