The Regulations established immediate, temporary restrictions on unmanned aircraft flying below 1000 feet over a 0.5 nautical mile radius centered on Leicester due to an emergency.
These Regulations impose emergency restrictions on the flight of unmanned aircraft within a defined circular area centered on Leicester, prohibiting all flights below 1000 feet above mean sea level unless specifically directed by the Leicestershire Police; the Secretary of State implemented this restriction immediately due to a public interest matter arising from an emergency in the specified area.
Arguments For
Addressing an immediate public safety concern or emergency situation through rapid regulatory action.
Utilizing existing statutory powers (Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016) to ensure swift implementation of airspace control.
Protecting the public interest by imposing temporary, localized flight restrictions necessary to manage the specific emergency that has arisen.
Providing clear operational guidance to authorities (Leicestershire Police) by explicitly exempting their directed aircraft from the general prohibition.
Arguments Against
Limitation of general aviation activities and potential disruption to authorized drone operations within the affected radius.
Requirement for pilots/operators to be aware of and comply with an immediate, legally enforced restriction, potentially leading to unintentional breaches.
The temporary nature of the measure necessitates reliance on ministerial discretion regarding the definition and resolution of the 'emergency.'
Limited public visibility on the underlying details of the 'emergency' leading to the imposition of these restrictions.
S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 140
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Leicestershire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Made ----at 10.36 a.m. on 10th February 2026 Coming into force with immediate effect
The Secretary of State for a reason affecting the public interest deems it necessary to restrict flying in the area specified in the Schedule by reason of an emergency having arisen in that area.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).
This section identifies the document as a Statutory Instrument, numbered 2026 No. 140, concerning Civil Aviation.
The instrument, titled 'The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Leicestershire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026,' was made on February 10th, 2026, at 10:36 a.m. and took effect immediately upon being made.
The Secretary of State invoked powers under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 to impose these restrictions.
This action was justified because an emergency occurred in the specified area, leading the Secretary of State to believe restricting flying was necessary due to reasons affecting the public interest.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Leicestershire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
The first regulation dictates the official title of the set of rules: The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Leicestershire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026.
It confirms that the regulations become effective immediately upon their enactment.
Restricted airspace
No unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1000 feet above mean sea level over the area specified in Column 1 of the Schedule, being an area bounded by a circle of the radius specified in Column 2 and centred on the position specified in Column 3.
These Regulations do not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by Leicestershire Police.
Regulation 2 prohibits any unmanned aircraft (like drones) from flying lower than 1000 feet above sea level within the geographical zone detailed in the Schedule.
This zone is defined by a specific radius and central coordinates, forming a circle.
Regulation 3 provides an exception to this flying ban.
The restriction does not apply if an unmanned aircraft is operating strictly according to instructions provided by the Leicestershire Police force.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
At 10.36 a.m. on 10th February 2026
Joe Thompson Senior Executive Officer Department for Transport
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
This segment authenticates the instrument, showing it was signed under the authority of the Secretary of State for Transport at the specified time on February 10, 2026.
Joe Thompson, a Senior Executive Officer within the Department for Transport, is the signatory.
The footnote references the primary legislation, S.I. 2016/765 (The Air Navigation Order 2016), noting that it has been amended by a subsequent instrument, S.I. 2024/990, which grants the power used here.
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |----------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Leicester | 0.5 nautical miles | 523752N 0010519W |
The table specifies the exact parameters of the restricted airspace.
The location is identified as 'Leicester,' covering an area defined by a circle with a radius of 0.5 nautical miles.
The center point of this circle is precisely located using geographical coordinates: 52 degrees 37 minutes 52 seconds North latitude and 0 degrees 10 minutes 51.9 seconds West longitude.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions of an emergency nature on flying in the area specified in the Schedule. They are intended to be of temporary duration and will be revoked as soon as the emergency in question has passed.
The Explanatory Note clarifies that the restrictions are of an emergency nature and apply only to the area defined in the Schedule.
The note explicitly states that these regulations are designed to be temporary and will be officially withdrawn once the emergency condition that prompted their creation has passed.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
The Schedule section formally links the restrictions detailed in Regulation 2 to the geographical specifications provided in the Table 1 located earlier in the document.
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