East Midlands Airport had to close its runway and divert a number of flights after drones were detected nearby.
Eight services were diverted to different airports on Friday evening after drones were detected a mile away near Donington Park in Leicestershire, where the Download Festival is being held this weekend.
The airport was forced to close the runway for 30 minutes, which led to the disruption.
In a joint statement, Download, Leicestershire Police and East Midlands Airport said: “Recent reports of drone sightings near Donington Park have caused an interruption at East Midlands Airport in recent years. days.
“This has affected both the night cargo operation and passengers being diverted to other airports.
“The safe operation of the EMA aerodrome and the safety of the public at the event are our top priority.
“Together, Leicestershire Police, the organizers of the download festival and the airport continue to work closely to control the situation.
“As a result, both festival organizers and police have increased the number of patrols in and around the site.”
Flying drones near airports is a crime under the Civil Aviation Act of 1982.
During the Christmas period of 2018, alleged drone sightings around Gatwick Airport caused it to close for more than a day, disrupting more than 1,000 flights.
A police investigation has been launched that has cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds, but no one has yet been brought to justice.