The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Swansea) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
The Secretary of State for Transport restricts the operation of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Swansea to facilitate a response to an emergency.
These regulations prohibit unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within a 0.5 nautical mile radius of a specified coordinate in Swansea.
The restrictions apply to all unmanned aircraft operators, except those flying under the specific direction of the South Wales Police.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that a restriction on flying is necessary in the public interest due to an emergency having arisen in the specified area.
The Regulations cite Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 as the legal basis for exercising these emergency powers.
The explanatory note states that these measures 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.
The document does not specify the exact nature of the emergency, which may lead to uncertainty among stakeholders regarding the necessity and duration of the restrictions.
The legal effect depends on the exercise of discretion by South Wales Police, who have the authority to grant exemptions through directions.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Swansea) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
This section establishes the official title of the statutory instrument and mandates that its provisions become legally enforceable immediately upon its signing at 5.35 p.m. on 9 July 2026.
This immediate commencement removes the standard transition period typically afforded to aviation stakeholders.
Restricted airspace
No unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,300 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 Police.
Section 2 prohibits the flight of unmanned aircraft (commonly referred to as drones) at altitudes lower than 1,300 feet within the geographic boundaries defined in the Schedule.
Section 3 provides an exception for aircraft operating under the explicit instructions of the South Wales Police, allowing law enforcement to authorize specific flights within the restricted zone.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |----------------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Swansea | 0.5 nautical mile | 514017N 0040219W |
The Schedule defines the precise dimensions of the restricted airspace as a cylinder with a radius of 0.5 nautical miles.
The center of this restricted area is fixed at the coordinates 51°40'17"N and 004°02'19"W in Swansea.
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