On July 5, 2025, the Zagreb Hippodrome will become the epicenter of a musical spectacle that has been making headlines for months – the concert of Marko Perković Thompson is generating massive public interest. Unsurprisingly, this interest has extended into the aviation sector as well. The Croatian Civil Aviation Agency (CCAA) has issued an important appeal, urging all attendees and citizens to refrain from using unmanned aerial vehicles, i.e., drones, within the capital city, especially in the immediate vicinity of the Hippodrome.
According to the Agency, the broader city area, including the concert zone, will be declared a no-fly zone for drones. The reason is safety-related: a very large number of attendees is expected, and any unauthorized drone flight poses a significant risk, particularly in the event of a technical malfunction or loss of control. A drone crash in a crowded space could have serious consequences, as the audience would have little to no chance to react or protect themselves in time. Security services, including police and specialized teams, will be actively working to prevent illegal drone flights using electronic jamming measures, which further increases the risk of losing control of the device.
The Agency warns that anyone who chooses to ignore the ban and launch a drone will face substantial fines. Legal entities violating the regulations can be fined between €2,681.68 and €13,408.42, responsible individuals within those entities up to €2,011.26, while private individuals committing the same offense will be fined between €402.25 and €2,011.26. Furthermore, those who improperly operate a drone, even if they are not unauthorized operators, may also face fines ranging from €670.42 to €2,011.26.
The organizational and safety aspects of such an event undoubtedly require a high level of cooperation among all parties involved, from attendees to relevant authorities. In the era of ubiquitous technology, aviation regulations are no longer reserved solely for major airports. This concert, therefore, becomes not just the musical event of the summer, but also a reminder of the need for responsible behavior in the airspace, even just a few dozen meters above the ground.
