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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. 907
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Reading Festival)
Regulations 2026
Made - - - - 5th August 2026
Coming into force - - 26th 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) (Reading
Festival) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 26th August 2026.
Interpretation
2. The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time(b).
Restricted airspace
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1700 hours on 26th August
2026 and ending with 1600 hours on 31st August 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,200
feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the
following points—
(a) 512758N 0005842W,
(b) 512753N 0005840W,
(c) 512749N 0005915W,
(d) 512742N 0005922W,
(e) 512747N 0010015W,
(f) 512752N 0010045W,
(g) 512759N 0010108W,
(h) 512812N 0010125W,
(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).(i) 512817N 0010118W,
(j) 512832N 0010112W,
(k) 512822N 0010030W,
(l) 512806N 0010031W,
(m) 512812N 0010012W,
(n) 512814N 0005956W,
(o) 512809N 0005935W,
(p) 512806N 0005918W,
(q) 512803N 0005850W, and
(r) 512758N 0005842W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft—
(a) flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Festival Republic Event Silver
Commander, or
(b) operated by or on behalf of a police air support unit.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Karen L Michaels
Grade 7
5th August 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
Reading, Berkshire, where the gathering of a large number of persons is due to take place for the
Reading Festival on 26th to 31st August 2026, inclusive. 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 in that area for reasons of public safety and security.
The times mentioned in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour
behind British Summer Time (BST).
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 3(2)(a), the Festival Republic 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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