The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Diwali Celebrations, Leicester) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft in Leicester during the 2026 Diwali celebrations.
These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft at or below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within a specified one-nautical-mile radius of central Leicester.
The restriction applies to all drone operators from 15:00 hours on 8 November 2026 until 02:00 hours on 9 November 2026, unless they have obtained express permission from the Leicestershire Police. The measure is intended to protect the large crowds expected to gather for the city's Diwali celebrations.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority state that the measure is required for reasons of public safety and security.
The Regulations provide a mechanism for authorized flight via permission from the Leicestershire Police Counter-UAS Bronze Commander.
Arguments Against
Operators of unmanned aircraft may face restricted access to airspace normally available for commercial or recreational use.
The restrictions depend on precise geographic coordinates and Co-ordinated Universal Time, which may require technical interpretation by drone pilots to ensure compliance.
Specific contact details for obtaining flight permission are not included in the text, referring instead to future notifications.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Diwali Celebrations, Leicester) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 8th November 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 8 November 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the same as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
This section defines the time standard used throughout the document.
It clarifies that all scheduled times are in Co-ordinated Universal Time, which is equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1500 hours on 8th November 2026 and ending with 0200 hours on 9th November 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1 nautical mile which is centred at 523857N 0010713W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Leicestershire Police Counter-UAS Bronze Commander.
This section prohibits unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,300 feet within a one-nautical-mile radius of a specific location in Leicester (52°38'57"N, 001°07'13"W).
The ban is active from 3:00 PM on 8 November 2026 until 2:00 AM on 9 November 2026.
An exception is made for aircraft that have received specific authorization from the designated Leicestershire Police commander.
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