The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Mayflower Park, Southampton) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft at Mayflower Park, Southampton, during the 2026 International Boat Show.
These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,100 feet above mean sea level in a specific area around Mayflower Park, Southampton, to ensure public safety during the Southampton International Boat Show.
The restrictions apply to all drone operators from 18 September to 27 September 2026, with daily time limits varying between 16:30 and 21:00 UTC. The mandate exempts police air support units and any unmanned aircraft that has obtained express permission from the event organizers.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the measures are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The document provides a mechanism for authorized flight, allowing exceptions for unmanned aircraft with permission from the event's Health and Safety Manager or Event Director.
The order allows for emergency and security operations by exempting aircraft operated by or on behalf of any UK Police Air Support Unit.
Arguments Against
Legal scholars may note that the restrictions rely on the discretion of private individuals, specifically the Southampton International Boat Show's Health and Safety Manager or Event Director, to grant flight permissions.
Drone operators and local hobbyists may face localized disruption to their activities for a period of ten consecutive days.
Precise compliance requires operators to accurately interpret Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) and specific geographical coordinates, which may present practical challenges for casual users.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Mayflower Park, Southampton) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 18th September 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 18 September 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 3(2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This section clarifies that all times listed in the document follow Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).
In practice, this means the restrictions begin and end one hour later than the stated figures when converted to British Summer Time (BST).
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 straight lines joining successively the following points-
- (a) 505359N 0012441W,
- (b) 505358N 0012432W,
- (c) 505350N 0012424W,
- (d) 505347N 0012425W,
- (e) 505344N 0012429W,
- (h) 505344N 0012449W,
- (g) 505355N 0012449W, and
- (h) 505359N 0012441W.
(2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1) begin with-
- (a) 0700 hours and end with 2100 hours on each of the two days of 18th and 19th September 2026,
- (b) 0700 hours and end with 1800 hours on each of the five days beginning with 20th and ending with 24th September 2026,
- (c) 0700 hours and end with 2100 hours on each of the two days of 25th and 26th September 2026, and
- (d) 0700 hours and end with 1630 hours on 27th September 2026.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft-
- (a) flying in accordance with the permission of the Southampton International Boat Show's Health and Safety Manager or the Event Director, or
- (b) operated by, or on behalf of, any UK Police Air Support Unit.
This section prohibits drones and other unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,100 feet within a specific geographical zone defined by eight coordinate points around Mayflower Park.
The flight ban is active daily from 07:00 UTC, with varying evening end times between 18 September and 27 September 2026.
It specifically exempts police operations and any flights that have been authorized by the Boat Show's management.
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