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S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 876
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Belfast, Northern
Ireland) Regulations 2026
Made - - - - 24th July 2026
Coming into force - - 2nd August 2026
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of
unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 3(1) by reason of the intending gathering
there of a large number of persons.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by
article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016(a).
Citation and commencement
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Belfast,
Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 2nd August 2026.
Interpretation
2. The times referred to in regulation 3(2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time(b).
Restricted airspace
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the periods specified in paragraph (2) no unmanned
aircraft is to fly below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines
joining successively the following points—
(a) 543621N 0055555W,
(b) 543618N 0055543W,
(c) 543615N 0055536W,
(d) 543614N 0055534W,
(e) 543605N 0055530W,
(f) 543558N 0055527W,
(g) 543546N 0055526W,
(h) 543545N 0055604W,
(i) 543552N 0055605W,
(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).(j) 543555N 0055606W,
(k) 543601N 0055604W,
(l) 543609N 0055559W,
(m) 543611N 0055606W,
(n) 543614N 0055603W,
(o) 543612N 0055556W,
(p) 543614N 0055555W,
(q) 543618N 0055559W, and
(r) 543621N 0055555W.
(2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1) begin with—
(a) 1100 hours and end with 2200 hours on 2nd August 2026,
(b) 1000 hours and end with 2200 hours on each of the six days beginning with 3rd August
and ending with 8th August 2026, and
(c) 1000 hours and end with 2330 hours on 9th August 2026.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a
permission issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Event Silver Commander.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Karen L Michaels
Grade 7
24th July 2026 Department for Transport
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Belfast,
Northern Ireland, where the gathering of a large number of persons is due to take place for the
Belfast Fleadh festival. The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that
it is necessary and in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft for reasons of
public safety and security at the event.
The times mentioned in regulation 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 Police Service of Northern Ireland’s
Event Silver Commander may be contacted as notified.
Full details of these Regulations will be promulgated by Briefing Sheet and Notice to Aviation
(NOTAM).
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr Thomas Shainberg, Airspace Regulator,
Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382515.
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