The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Pantside, Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an immediate emergency restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft over Pantside, Wales.
These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 2,100 feet above mean sea level within a specific 0.54 nautical mile radius of Pantside, Wales.
The restrictions apply to all unmanned aircraft operators, with the exception of those flying under the specific direction of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The Secretary of State issued this mandate under the Air Navigation Order 2016 in response to an unspecified emergency, and the rules remain in effect until the instrument is revoked.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State considers these restrictions necessary for reasons affecting the public interest due to an emergency that has arisen in the area.
The Regulations provide an exemption for aircraft directed by the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, allowing emergency responders to maintain operational control of the airspace.
The instrument states that the restrictions are intended to be temporary and will be revoked once the emergency has passed.
Arguments Against
Local operators of unmanned aircraft may face immediate disruption to planned activities due to the regulations coming into force with immediate effect without prior notice.
The document does not specify the nature of the emergency, which may make it difficult for the public to assess the duration or necessity of the restriction.
Legal scholars might note that the geographical boundaries are defined by coordinates and nautical miles, which may require technical expertise for individual recreational drone users to interpret accurately.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Pantside, Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
This section provides the official name of the regulations and specifies that they become legally enforceable immediately upon being made at 10:20 a.m. on 13 August 2026.
This allows for the immediate implementation of flight restrictions without the standard notice period.
Restricted airspace
- No unmanned aircraft is to fly below 2,100 feet above mean sea level over the area specified in Column 1 of the Schedule, being an area bounded by a circle of the radius specified in Column 2 and centred on the position specified in Column 3.
- These Regulations do not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Regulation 2 prohibits any unmanned aircraft, such as drones, from entering the designated airspace below an altitude of 2,100 feet.
The restricted zone is a circle with a radius of 0.54 nautical miles centered on the coordinates 514026N 0030755W in Pantside.
Regulation 3 creates a specific exception for flights authorized by the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. This permits emergency services to use unmanned aircraft for situational awareness or rescue efforts while excluding unauthorized civilian or commercial operators.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |-----------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Pantside, Wales | 0.54 nautical mile | 514026N 0030755W |
The Schedule provides the precise geographical parameters for the flight restriction.
It defines the 'Specified area' as Pantside, Wales, and sets the boundary as a circle extending 0.54 nautical miles from the center point of 51 degrees 40 minutes 26 seconds North and 003 degrees 07 minutes 55 seconds West.
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