The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Cardiff) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

Published: Mon 28th Sept 26

Restricted the flying of unmanned aircraft in Cardiff during the ceremonial opening of the Welsh Senedd on 15th October 2026.

The regulations prohibit unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within a 1.5 nautical mile radius centered in Cardiff on 15th October 2026.

This restriction applies from 0700 hours to 1600 hours Co-ordinated Universal Time to ensure public safety during the ceremonial opening of the Welsh Senedd.

The rule applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, except those who obtain explicit permission from the South Wales Police Special Events Support Unit.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State indicates that flight restrictions are required in the public interest for reasons of public safety and security.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the measures are necessary due to the ceremonial opening of the Welsh Senedd.

Arguments Against

Operators of unmanned aircraft may experience disruptions or restrictions on commercial or recreational flights within the designated 1.5 nautical mile zone.
Pilots requiring airspace access must undergo an additional administrative process to seek flight permissions from the South Wales Police Special Events Support Unit.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Cardiff) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 15th October 2026.

Establishes the official title of the regulations.

Sets the date on which the rules legally take effect as 15th October 2026.

Interpretation

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

Specifies that Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) governs the schedule outlined in the regulations.

A footnote notes that UTC is one hour behind British Summer Time.

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0700 hours and ending with 1600 hours on 15th October 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1.5 nautical miles which is centred at 512748N 0030946W.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the South Wales Police Special Events Support Unit.

Bans unmanned aircraft flights below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within a 1.5 nautical mile radius of the specified Cardiff coordinates on 15th October 2026 between 0700 and 1600 UTC. Creates an exemption for any unmanned aircraft operating under a permission granted by the South Wales Police Special Events Support Unit.

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