The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Blackpool Illuminations) Regulations 2026

Published: Wed 2nd Sept 26

Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,100 feet in Blackpool on 4 September 2026.

These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft at altitudes below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within a specific zone in Blackpool on 4 September 2026.

The restrictions apply between 14:00 and 22:59 Co-ordinated Universal Time to ensure the safety of large crowds gathered for the Blackpool Illuminations.

Pilots may only fly within this restricted area if they have obtained prior written permission from the Lancashire Police Drone Team.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The Explanatory Note states that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree the measures are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The Regulations establish a specific geographic boundary and altitude limit (1,100 feet) to manage airspace during the event.

Arguments Against

Operators of unmanned aircraft may face restricted access to airspace they would otherwise be permitted to use for commercial or recreational purposes.
The use of Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) in the text requires pilots to manually convert to British Summer Time (BST) to ensure compliance, which may lead to timing errors.
The document does not specify the criteria the Lancashire Police Drone Team will use to grant or deny permissions, leaving the exemption process to agency discretion.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Blackpool Illuminations) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 4th September 2026.

This section establishes the official name of the statutory instrument.

It also sets the date on which the legal restrictions take effect, which is 4 September 2026.

Interpretation

The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).

( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).

This section defines the time standard used for the flight restrictions.

It clarifies that the hours mentioned elsewhere in the document are in Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), noting that this is one hour behind the local British Summer Time.

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1400 hours and ending with 2259 hours on 4th September 2026 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) 534828N 0030252W,
(b) 534828N 0030352W,
(c) 534920N 0030352W,
(d) 534920N 0030255W, and
(e) 534828N 0030252W.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Lancashire Police Drone Team.

This section prohibits the flight of unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, within a defined rectangular area in Blackpool between 14:00 and 22:59 UTC on 4 September 2026.

The prohibition applies from the surface up to an altitude of 1,100 feet above mean sea level.

An exception is made for aircraft that have received specific authorization from the Lancashire Police Drone Team.

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