These 2026 Regulations impose a restriction on the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,000 feet above mean sea level within a specified area around Whitfield, Kent, designated as Restricted Area EGR1U100, based on security interests identified by the Secretary of State at the request of the Home Office; the Regulations come into force on 11th June 2026, revoke previous 2025 restrictions, and provide exemptions for emergency services and operations permitted by Border Force.
Arguments For
The restriction is implemented in the public interest due to security considerations specifically associated with the location near Whitfield, Kent.
The regulations establish a clearly defined restricted airspace (EGR1U100) below 1,000 feet, providing certainty to operators and law enforcement regarding where unauthorized drone operation is prohibited.
Exceptions are made for essential public services, including Police Air Support Units, Emergency Medical Services, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and operations authorized by Border Force, ensuring operational continuity for emergency responders.
The new regulations revoke the previous 2025 restrictions, indicating a formal update or reassessment of the necessary flight limitations for this location.
Arguments Against
The imposition of a restricted airspace inherently limits the convenience and utility of unmanned aircraft operations for legitimate commercial or recreational purposes in the designated geographical area.
The justification is based solely on unspecified 'security considerations' requested by the Home Office, potentially limiting public scrutiny of the necessity for such a broad flight restriction.
Detailed geographic coordinates and altitude limits may still prove complex for drone operators to interpret accurately, risking inadvertent breaches.
Reliance on Border Force permission for certain operations introduces an administrative hurdle for any entity needing flight authorization near the restricted zone.
2026 No. 146
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Whitfield) (Restricted Area EGR1U100) Regulations 2026
Made
[Date Omitted]
[Date Omitted]
[Date Omitted]
[Date Omitted]
20th February 2026
Coming into force
- [Date Omitted]
11th June 2026
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 2(1) in the vicinity of Whitfield, Kent having regard to the security considerations associated with this location.
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 opening section identifies the legislation as Statutory Instrument 2026 No. 146, concerning Civil Aviation, specifically detailing restrictions on flying near Whitfield under the restricted area code EGR1U100.
The document was officially made on February 20, 2026, and is scheduled to take legal effect on June 11, 2026.
The decision to implement these restrictions stems from the Secretary of State's determination that public interest, specifically concerning security considerations at the Whitfield location in Kent, necessitates limiting unmanned aircraft flights.
These powers are being exercised based on the authority granted under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Whitfield) (Restricted Area EGR1U100) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 11th June 2026.
Regulation 1 specifies the official short title for these rules, which is the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Whitfield) (Restricted Area EGR1U100) Regulations 2026.
The regulation confirms that its effective date, when the restrictions become legally enforceable, is June 11, 2026.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,000 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following points-
- (a) 510856N 0011641E,
- (b) 510907N 0011655E,
- (c) 510912N 0011707E,
- (d) 510910N 0011724E,
- (e) 510904N 0011734E,
- (f) 510855N 0011736E,
- (g) 510852N 0011732E,
- (h) 510845N 0011735E,
- (i) 510838N 0011730E,
- (j) 510831N 0011707E,
- (k) 510831N 0011658E,
- (l) 510842N 0011641E,
- (m) 510849N 0011638E, and
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
- (n) 510856N 0011641E.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft-
- (a) operated by or on behalf of-
- (i) a Police Air Support Unit,
- (ii) an Emergency Medical Service, or
- (iii) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, or
- (b) flying in accordance with the permission of Border Force.
Regulation 2 establishes the flight restriction zone.
Unless an exception applies under paragraph (2), all unmanned aircraft (drones) are prohibited from flying below 1,000 feet above mean sea level within the specified boundary coordinates in Kent.
The coordinates define the precise perimeter of the restricted zone, known as EGR1U100, listed using latitude (N) and longitude (E).
Paragraph (2) lists specific exemptions to this ban.
Unauthorized flights are permitted for aircraft operated by the Police Air Support Unit, an Emergency Medical Service, or the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Furthermore, any operation granted explicit permission by Border Force is also exempt from the restriction.
Revocation of Regulations
- The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Whitfield) Regulations 2025( a ) are revoked.
Regulation 3 officially cancels the previous statutory instrument governing flight restrictions in this area, specifically revoking The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Whitfield) Regulations 2025.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
20th February 2026
This confirms the document was formally signed on February 20, 2026, under the authorization of the Secretary of State for Transport.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Whitfield, near Dover, in the county of Kent. At the request of the Home Office, the Secretary of State considers that it is in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft at that location.
These Regulations also revoke the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Whitfield) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1285).
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 2(2)(b), Border Force may be contacted as notified.
Full details of this statutory instrument will be included in the United Kingdom Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). The restricted area has been designated as EGR1U100 for the purpose of inclusion in the AIP and in related charts and documents.
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr David Ridley, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382471.
( a ) S.I. 2025/1285.
Karen L Michaels Grade 7 Department for Transport
The Explanatory Note confirms the purpose: restricting unmanned aircraft near Whitfield (near Dover, Kent) due to Home Office requests regarding public interest and security.
It explicitly notes the revocation of the 2025 regulations (S.I. 2025/1285).
It advises that further details regarding permission from Border Force (under regulation 2(2)(b)) are available upon notification.
All operational details concerning this restricted airspace (EGR1U100) will be published within the UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and supporting charts.
Finally, it provides a specific contact name, title, department, and telephone number for the Civil Aviation Authority for any related inquiries.