The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Derry, Londonderry) Regulations 2026

Published: Wed 28th Oct 26

Restricted unmanned aircraft flight in Derry/Londonderry during the Halloween Festival on 31 October 2026.

These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within a specified area of Derry/Londonderry on 31 October 2026.

The restriction applies to all drone operators from 16:00 to 23:00 UTC, except those granted specific permission by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Silver Commander for the Derry Halloween Festival.

The measure aims to ensure public safety during a large-scale public gathering.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that the restriction is 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 provide a mechanism for authorized flight, allowing the Police Service of Northern Ireland Silver Commander to grant specific permissions.

Arguments Against

Operators of unmanned aircraft may seek clarification on the specific geographic boundaries defined by the ten sets of coordinates if they lack precise mapping tools.
Remote pilots may experience restricted access to airspace typically available for commercial or recreational use during the seven-hour period.
The legal effect depends on the notification of contact details for the Police Service of Northern Ireland Silver Commander to facilitate the permission process.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Derry, Londonderry) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 31st October 2026.

This section establishes the official title of the statutory instrument.

It sets the date the regulations legally take effect as 31 October 2026.

Interpretation

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

(b) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the same as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

This section clarifies that all times mentioned in the document are based on Co-ordinated Universal Time. It notes that this is equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time.

Restricted airspace

3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1600 hours and ending with 2300 hours on 31st October 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following points—

(a) 550052N 0071942W,
(b) 550115N 0071905W,
(c) 550102N 0071827W,
(d) 550030N 0071807W,
(e) 545943N 0071821W,
(f) 545915N 0071852W,
(g) 545928N 0071939W,
(h) 545944N 0071959W,
(i) 550023N 0071959W, and
(j) 550052N 0071942W.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Silver Commander for Derry Halloween Festival.

This section prohibits drones and other unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,300 feet within a specific geographic zone defined by ten coordinates.

The restriction is active for a seven-hour window on 31 October 2026.

It grants an exemption to any aircraft that has received prior authorization from the designated Police Service of Northern Ireland commander for the local festival.

The restriction applies to the airspace directly above the coordinates provided.

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