The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Newport, Wales) Regulations 2026

Published: Tue 16th Jun 26

These Regulations impose temporary restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft (drones) below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within two narrowly defined geographical areas near Newport, Wales, specifically between 0900 and 2200 hours Co-ordinated Universal Time on June 16th, 2026, citing public safety and security as the necessity, while exempting activities authorized by the Gwent Police Drone Team.

Arguments For

The regulations ensure public safety and security by prohibiting unauthorized drone operation in specific, sensitive areas around Newport, Wales, on the specified date.
The restrictions are time-bound (0900 to 2200 hours on June 16th, 2026) and altitude-limited (below 1,100 feet above mean sea level), indicating a targeted, temporary measure.
An explicit exemption is provided for the Gwent Police Drone Team, ensuring essential law enforcement or emergency operations utilizing unmanned aircraft are not hindered.

Arguments Against

The regulations impose a blanket restriction on legitimate recreational or commercial drone use in the defined airspace for a specific 13-hour window, potentially affecting scheduled commercial operations or authorized activities.
The geographical boundaries (defined by precise coordinates) might be difficult for drone operators to monitor precisely without specialized navigation equipment, leading to inadvertent non-compliance.
The justification cites 'public safety and security' but does not specify the exact nature of the event or threat necessitating the restriction, which could lead to operational uncertainty for affected parties.

2026 No. 631

CIVIL AVIATION

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Newport, Wales) Regulations 2026

Made

12th June 2026

Coming into force

16th June 2026

The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in the areas specified in regulations 3(1) and 3(2).

The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).

This section establishes the document as Statutory Instrument 2026 No. 631 concerning Civil Aviation, titled 'The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Newport, Wales) Regulations 2026.' It notes the regulations were made on June 12th, 2026, and come into force on June 16th, 2026.

The Secretary of State bases this action on the powers granted by Article 239 of the 2016 Air Navigation Order, deeming the restrictions on unmanned aircraft necessary for the public interest.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Newport, Wales) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 16th June 2026.

The first regulation specifies the official title of these rules.

It confirms that the restrictions formally start applying at the beginning of June 16th, 2026.

Interpretation

The times referred to in regulations 3(1) and 3(2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).

This rule defines the time standard used throughout the document.

All times mentioned for the restrictions are measured in Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (3) during the period beginning with 0900 hours and ending with 2200 hours on 16th June 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by-

(a) 513455N 0025634W,
(b) 513507N 0025753W,
(c) 513533N 0025752W,
(d) 513537N 0025640W,
(e) 513508N 0025610W,
(f) 513455N 0025634W, and
(g) 513455N 0025634W.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) during the period beginning with 0900 hours and ending with 2200 hours on 16th June 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by-

( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.

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

(a) 513505N 0025912W
(b) 513502N 0025915W
(c) 513513N 0025937W
(d) 513524N 0025950W
(e) 513538N 0025934W
(f) 513512N 0025854W
(g) 513505N 0025912W,

(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with the permission of the Gwent Police Drone Team.

Regulation 3 establishes the core restrictions on drone flights.

During the period from 0900 to 2200 UTC on June 16th, 2026, no unmanned aircraft can fly below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within two distinctly defined geographical zones, detailed by precise latitude and longitude coordinates (a through g for each zone).

A footnote clarifies that UTC is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).

Importantly, these flight restrictions do not apply if the drone operation has permission from the Gwent Police Drone Team.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport

12th June 2026

This confirms that the Secretary of State for Transport authorized these regulations on June 12th, 2026.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Newport, Wales. The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft for reasons of public safety and security.

The times mentioned in regulations 3(1) and 3(2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).

In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 3(3), the Gwent Police Drone Team may be contacted as notified.

Full details of this Statutory Instrument will be promulgated by Notice to Aviation (NOTAM).

The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr Thomas Shainberg, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, contactable on telephone number 03301 382515.

Joe Thompson Senior Executive Officer Department for Transport

The explanatory note clarifies that the statutory instrument restricts drone flights near Newport, Wales, based on agreement between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport due to public safety and security concerns.

It reiterates that the specified times are UTC, which is one hour behind BST. It also advises that full details will be published via a Notice to Aviation (NOTAM) and provides contact information for the relevant Civil Aviation Authority representative for inquiries.

View Source

Civil Liberties Economy Housing Justice