The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Tenby) Regulations 2026
Restricted the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet in Tenby during a public gathering in September 2026.
These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, within a specified radius of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, between 05:00 UTC on 12 September 2026 and 01:00 UTC on 14 September 2026.
The restriction applies to all unmanned aircraft flying below 1,400 feet above mean sea level, unless they have received explicit permission from the Dyfed-Powys Police Service. The Department for Transport issued these rules to manage public safety during a scheduled mass gathering in the area.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to an intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the restrictions are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The document notes that the restrictions were requested by the Dyfed-Powys Police Service to manage the airspace during the event.
Arguments Against
Operators of unmanned aircraft may face limited access to airspace typically available for recreational or commercial use within the one-nautical-mile radius.
The regulations do not specify the exact nature of the "large gathering," which may lead to questions regarding the necessity of the 1,400-foot altitude floor.
Parties seeking to fly must obtain specific permission from Dyfed-Powys Police, creating an administrative requirement for drone pilots during the 44-hour period.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Tenby) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 12th September 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 12 September 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This section clarifies that all time references in the document use Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).
During the period these regulations are active, UTC is one hour behind British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0500 hours on 12th September 2026 and ending with 0100 hours on 14th September 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1 nautical mile which is centred at 514020N 0044212W.
- (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Dyfed-Powys Police Service.
This section creates a restricted flight zone within a one-nautical-mile radius of a specific coordinate in Tenby.
It prohibits unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,400 feet within this zone for the specified duration.
The prohibition is lifted only for aircraft that have obtained prior authorization from the Dyfed-Powys Police Service.
Related
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Established an emergency restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft in Plymouth, Devon, effective immediately on 21 October 2026.
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Revoked emergency flight restrictions in the Drymen and Stirling area with immediate effect on 21 October 2026.
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