The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Hull Fair, Humberside) Regulations 2026
Established temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft at Hull Fair between 9 October and 17 October 2026 to ensure public safety.
These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,100 feet above mean sea level in the vicinity of Kingston-Upon-Hull during the 2026 Hull Fair.
The restrictions apply to a circular area with a 0.5 nautical mile radius during specified windows between 9 October and 17 October 2026.
The mandate applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, with specific exemptions for aircraft operated by or on behalf of a Police Air Support Unit or those with written permission from Aerial Defence Ltd.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that flight restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the gathering of a large number of persons.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that these measures are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The document specifies that restrictions apply only to unmanned aircraft and at specific altitudes (below 1,100 feet) to minimize impact on general aviation while protecting the event area.
Arguments Against
Operators of unmanned aircraft may face restricted access to the airspace surrounding Kingston-Upon-Hull for the duration of the event.
The effectiveness of the restrictions depends on the successful communication of the Briefing Sheet and Notice to Aviation (NOTAM) to all drone pilots in the area.
Entities seeking permission to fly must coordinate with a private third party, Aerial Defence Ltd, which may introduce administrative steps for authorized operators.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Hull Fair, Humberside) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 9th October 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 9 October 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 3(2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
This section clarifies that all times mentioned in the document use Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).
It notes that UTC is one hour behind local British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the periods specified in paragraph (2) no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 0.5 of a nautical mile which is centred at 534456N 0002224W.
(2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1) begin with-
- (a) 1500 hours and end with 2200 hours on 9th October 2026,
- (b) 1100 hours and end with 2200 hours on 10th October 2026,
- (c) 1300 hours and end with 2200 hours on each of the five days beginning with 12th October 2026 and ending with 16th October 2026, and
- (d) 1100 hours and ending with 2200 hours on 17th October 2026.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft being-
- (a) flown in accordance with a permission issued by Aerial Defence Ltd, or
- (b) operated by or on behalf of a Police Air Support Unit.
This section prohibits unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,100 feet within a half-nautical mile radius of the specified coordinates in Humberside during certain times.
The restriction periods vary by day between 9 October and 17 October 2026, generally covering afternoon and evening hours.
It exempts police aircraft and any operators who have obtained specific permission from Aerial Defence Ltd.
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