The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Crystal Palace Park, London) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet at Crystal Palace Park during specified dates in 2026 for public safety.
These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet above mean sea level in a specified area around Crystal Palace Park, London.
The restrictions apply to all unmanned aircraft during designated periods between July 31 and August 16, 2026, coinciding with large public gatherings.
Exceptions are granted to unmanned aircraft operated by police air support units or those with written permission from the Festival Republic Event Silver Commander.
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 at the site.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the measure is required to ensure public safety and security during the events.
The document cites Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 as the specific legal authority for imposing these flight restrictions.
Arguments Against
Legal commentators may note that these regulations restrict the use of airspace for hobbyist and commercial drone operators not affiliated with the event organizers.
Affected parties might identify potential confusion regarding the time conversions, as the regulations use Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) while the events occur during British Summer Time (BST).
Operators may find the requirement to obtain specific permission from a private entity—the Festival Republic Event Silver Commander—to be a procedural barrier for non-police flights.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Crystal Palace Park, London) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 31st July 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the statutory instrument and sets the date it becomes legally active. The regulations take effect on July 31, 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 3(2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
This provision defines the time standard used throughout the document for scheduling flight restrictions.
It specifies that all listed times 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 (3), during the periods specified in paragraph (2) no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded successively by the following points-
- (a) 512532N 0000418W,
- (b) 512527N 0000355W,
- (c) 512521N 0000345W,
- (d) 512516N 0000358W,
- (e) 512521N 0000418W, and
- (f) 512532N 0000418W.
(2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1) begin with-
- (a) 1500 hours and end with 2230 hours on 31st July 2026,
- (b) 1100 hours and end with 2230 hours on 1st August 2026,
- (c) 1300 hours and end with 2230 hours on 2nd August 2026,
- (d) 1500 hours and end with 2215 hours on 5th August 2026,
- (e) 1500 hours and end with 2230 hours on 6th August 2026,
- (f) 1400 hours and end with 2230 hours on 7th August 2026,
- (g) 1200 hours and end with 2230 hours on 8th August 2026,
- (h) 1200 hours and end with 2230 hours on 9th August 2026,
- (i) 1430 hours and end with 2230 hours on 13th August 2026,
- (j) 1300 hours and end with 2230 hours on 14th August 2026,
- (k) 1200 hours and end with 2230 hours on 15th August 2026, and
- (l) 1200 hours and end with 22.30 hours on 16th August 2026.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft-
- (a) flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Festival Republic Event Silver Commander, or
- (b) operated by, or on behalf of a police air support unit.
This section creates a restricted flight zone for unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, within specific geographic coordinates and altitudes.
It lists the exact dates and time intervals in mid-2026 when these prohibitions apply.
The regulation identifies two exceptions: aircraft authorized by the event's designated security commander and those performing police duties.
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