Latvia's aviation agency warns of increased drone activity during storm damage inspections

The Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) has issued a warning to airspace users that increased unmanned aircraft activity may be observed across Latvia in the coming days. Drones are being deployed to inspect damage to electricity grid infrastructure and to support storm recovery efforts.

State grid operator Sadales tīkls and its contracted drone operators have been authorized to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) across Latvia's entire airspace, up to an altitude of 120 metres above ground. The CAA warning is in effect from 16:00 on August 24 until 02:59 on August 27.

Call for caution from other pilots

The agency is asking other drone pilots and operators to exercise particular caution during this period and, where possible, to avoid flying near electricity grid infrastructure so as not to interfere with the work of specialists and emergency services. The CAA also reminded operators of manned aircraft that flights below roughly 152 metres outside populated areas, and below roughly 304 metres above them, require CAA authorization.

Storm aftermath continues

The warning follows a powerful storm overnight on August 23, when wind gusts exceeded 30 metres per second, snapping trees and damaging fences, vehicles, traffic lights and public transport infrastructure. By Monday morning, transmission operator Augstsprieguma tīkls had restored power to nearly 80% of affected substations, though 10 substations remained without electricity. More than 200 crews have been involved in the repair effort, complicated by difficult access to damaged sites. Separately, a yellow-level warning for high water levels remains in effect for several rivers in western Latvia following recent heavy rainfall.