Finnish Influencer’s Drone Incident Leads to Airport Closure in Norway
A Finnish social media influencer and his golden retriever, The Golden Leevi, caused an airport closure in Northern Norway after flying a drone near restricted airspace. Atte Kalke, a resident of Espoo, was fined over 1,000 euros for the incident, which occurred during a road trip to the Arctic Ocean.
Airport Closure and Confiscation
Kalke was filming his dog at the Komsatoppen viewpoint in Alta municipality on Saturday when Norwegian police approached him. Yle reports that authorities had closed Alta Airport due to a drone flying in the area. After admitting to operating the drone, Kalke’s device was confiscated, and he was issued a fine of 12,000 Norwegian kroner (approximately 1,000 euros). The amount was reduced due to his cooperation.
Kalke, who has over 88,000 TikTok followers and 2.7 million likes on his videos, shared the incident in a social media post. He expressed remorse, stating, “Some brain fart occurred. Maybe it was because we were out in the wilderness, so I didn’t think there could be an airport nearby.” He also believed his drone’s built-in restrictions would prevent it from entering no-fly zones.
Police Response and Drone Regulations
Norwegian police confirmed to Yle that a foreign national was fined for drone violations. Tor-Emil Schanche, from Finnmark district police communications, stated that Avinor, Norway’s airport operator, filed a police report regarding the incident. However, police could not comment on the broader issue of drone activity near airports.
Ilta-Sanomat notes that Avinor’s regulations prohibit drone flights within five kilometers of Norwegian airports and above 120 meters. Additionally, drone operators must register their devices, and Russian citizens or entities are banned from flying drones in Norway. Restrictions also apply near embassies, prisons, and military zones.
Kalke and The Golden Leevi were taken to a police station for questioning, where the report noted they were “filming a video with a drone for his social media dog.” Kalke praised the Norwegian police for their professionalism and friendliness, particularly their fondness for dogs.
Popular but Restricted Area
The Komsatoppen viewpoint, where the incident occurred, is a well-known spot for drone photography, though it lacks visible warnings about flight restrictions. Yle reports that drones are frequently flown in the area, with police confiscating another foreign national’s drone the day before Kalke’s incident.
Norwegian authorities have previously tightened drone guidelines, as highlighted by Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl in a 2022 video. Despite the incident, Kalke emphasized that the most important outcome was that The Golden Leevi avoided any legal trouble.
