The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) increased enforcement actions against drone operators in 2025, issuing fines and suspending or revoking licenses for unsafe or unauthorized flights. These incidents included drones flown near major sporting events, emergency response activities, and within restricted airspace.
According to the FAA, such operations can endanger other aircraft, first responders, and the public. The agency emphasized that drone operators must understand and comply with all relevant regulations.
“The FAA will take decisive action against drone operators who ignore safety rules or operate without authorization,” said FAA Chief Counsel Liam McKenna. “These unsafe operations create serious risks, and the FAA will hold operators fully accountable for any violations.”
In 2026, the FAA revised its enforcement policy to mandate legal action when drone flights put the public at risk, breach airspace restrictions, or are linked to other criminal activity. This update aims to deter unsafe behavior and reinforce the agency’s role in safeguarding U.S. airspace.
Drone operators found violating regulations may face fines up to $75,000 per infraction. The FAA also has authority to suspend or revoke pilot licenses and impose penalties on unlicensed individuals or companies.
Between 2023 and 2025, the FAA issued fines from $1,771 to $36,770 for 18 separate violations. Notable cases included a $36,770 fine for flying a drone near firefighting aircraft during a wildfire on April 4, 2023; a $20,371 fine for operating in restricted airspace near Mar-a-Lago on January 13, 2025; a $20,370 fine after a drone struck a tree over crowds at Sunfest Music Festival in West Palm Beach on May 5, 2024; and a $14,790 fine for flying near State Farm Stadium during the Super Bowl on February 12, 2023.
Additionally, in 2025 eight remote pilots faced license suspensions or revocations due to various infractions. These included causing an emergency landing by entangling with a paraglider on January 7; multiple safety violations during a light show at Lake Eola in Orlando on December 21; operating over people during an NFL game in Baltimore on November 3; and flying in restricted airspace near Mar-a-Lago on September 7.
The FAA urges individuals to report unsafe drone use to their local Flight Standards District Office. All credible reports are reviewed and investigated as needed.
More information about safe drone operation is available at https://www.faa.gov/uas.
