On Tuesday, the Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments to the Law on Aviation, which will raise administrative fines in the field of civil aviation operations and air navigation services, and introduce administrative liability for violations related to unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
Currently, the law includes fines for administrative violations in civil and military aviation. For legal entities, fines in the area of aircraft operation range from 90 to 1 600 units. In the area of air traffic management and air navigation services, fines range from 140 to 1 600 units, while in civil aviation personnel supervision, fines range from 30 to 160 units, with possible suspension of rights to perform aviation duties for up to five years.
However, the law currently lacks provisions on administrative liability for drone operations without proper remote pilot qualifications, violation of flight restrictions in designated geographic zones, spraying of liquids, dropping materials, or transporting hazardous goods with a drone. It also does not cover flying under the influence of narcotic, psychotropic, toxic, or intoxicating substances or refusal to undergo breath or medical testing.
Amendments to the law include new sanctions for legal entities:
- Up to 2% of previous year’s net turnover for unauthorized commercial passenger transport or transferring control of an aircraft to an unqualified person.
- Up to 5% for violating general flight operation rules.
- Up to 9% for operating without mandatory insurance or required airworthiness documents.
- Up to 7% for flying without required equipment or operating subsonic civil aircraft without noise certification.
- Up to 7% for using unregistered aircraft or without proper markings.
- Up to 10% for breaching airworthiness or maintenance rules.
- Up to 7–8% for violating air traffic management and air navigation service regulations.
The Ministry of Transport (MoT) explains that current penalties are too low to ensure flight safety. Poor-quality navigation services could lead to aviation accidents involving human lives and significant material losses. The amendments aim to comply with EU Single European Sky standards.
Meanwhile, performing civil aviation personnel duties without the necessary qualifications or failing to comply with restrictions specified in qualification and health certificates will be punishable by a fine of 30 to 400 units, with or without deprivation of the right to perform civil aviation personnel duties for up to five years.
MoT explains that special geographic zones will be designated with restricted drone flight permissions — such as near airports, military sites, prisons, Latvijas Banka, and critical infrastructure. The right to define these zones will lie with the Civil Aviation Agency (CAA), State Police, and the Aviation Search and Rescue Coordination Center (AMGKC). The State Police and AMGKC will be able to decide on the establishment of a geographical zone only in emergencies.
The State Police will have the right to determine the geographical area for ensuring public order and safety.
Amendments to the law also provides for the possibility of establishing requirements in a specific geographical zone that impose a flight ban or restriction.
Zone-specific flight restrictions may include:
- Flight bans
- Flight coordination requirements
- Notifications of flight
- Technical, competence, and operational standards
Amendments to the law also clarifies and supplements the section on administrative liability for violations committed with drones and their systems.
Drone pilots may face fines for:
- Refusing alcohol or drug testing: up to 140 fine units (1 unit = 5 euros)
- Flying without proper pilot qualification:
- Warning if no threat or material damage
- Otherwise, up to 60 units for individuals
- Spraying substances or carrying dangerous items without a permit:
- Warning if harmless
- Otherwise, up to 60 units (individuals), 200 units (legal entities)
- Flying in restricted geographic zones:
- Warning if harmless
- Otherwise, up to 140 units (individuals), 400 units (legal entities)
Administrative violations can be handled by the State Police, Municipal Police, Border Guard, or Military Police, depending on the location and nature of the incident.
The amount of a single fine unit is five euros.