The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Newport, Wales) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 prohibits the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a specified area of Newport, Wales, on 26 June 2026.
These restrictions apply to all unmanned aircraft between 0900 and 2200 Co-ordinated Universal Time, unless the operator has obtained specific permission from the Gwent Police Drone Team.
The Secretary of State for Transport issued these regulations under the Air Navigation Order 2016 to maintain public safety and security.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary in the public interest for reasons of public safety and security.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the limitations on unmanned aircraft are required to protect the vicinity of Newport during the specified period.
The document cites article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 as the specific legal authority for the Secretary of State to implement these restrictions.
Arguments Against
Operators of unmanned aircraft may encounter restricted access to airspace within the designated coordinates during the effective period, potentially impacting commercial or recreational activities.
The regulations rely on the Gwent Police Drone Team's discretionary power to grant exemptions, which may create uncertainty for operators regarding the criteria for receiving such permission.
The legal effect is localized and temporary, which may lead to awareness or compliance challenges for transient operators not monitoring Notices to Aviation (NOTAM).
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Newport, Wales) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 26th June 2026.
This section establishes the official title of the regulations for legal indexing.
It sets the commencement date as 26 June 2026, the same day the flight restrictions are scheduled to take effect.
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 provision clarifies that all time references in the document use Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) rather than local time. It notes for the reader that UTC is one hour behind British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), beginning with 0900 hours and ending with 2200 hours on 26th June 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by-
- (a) 513518N 0025733W,
- (b) 513557N 0025704W,
- (c) 513608N 0025542W,
- (d) 513511N 0025503W,
- (e) 513457N 0025651W, and
- (f) 513518N 0025733W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with the permission of the Gwent Police Drone Team.
This section prohibits the flight of unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, within a specific polygon defined by six geographical coordinates in Newport.
The prohibition applies up to an altitude of 1,400 feet above mean sea level during a defined thirteen-hour window on 26 June 2026.
The restriction applies to all unmanned aircraft except those that have received explicit authorization from the Gwent Police Drone Team.
This allows law enforcement or approved operators to fly within the restricted zone while excluding unauthorized civilian or commercial drones.
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