The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Cramlington, Newcastle) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Cramlington, Newcastle) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 immediately restricts unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,300 feet above sea level over a defined one nautical mile radius area centred near Cramlington, Newcastle, because the Secretary of State has determined an emergency affecting the public interest necessitates this temporary prohibition, with the sole exception being aircraft operating under directions from the Northumbria Police.
Arguments For
Ensuring immediate public safety and operational effectiveness by rapidly establishing a no-fly zone around an emergency situation in the specified area.
Utilizing existing statutory powers (Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016) to swiftly address situations deemed necessary in the public interest without lengthy consultation.
Providing clear, enforceable boundaries (1 nautical mile radius around a precise location) for the restriction to minimize confusion among drone operators.
Granting necessary operational exemptions to Northumbria Police, ensuring law enforcement can carry out duties within the restricted zone as required.
Arguments Against
Immediate imposition of restrictions without public notice or prior consultation can inconvenience or halt legitimate commercial or private drone operations in the affected area.
The requirement for aircraft to remain above 1,300 feet places a significant operational ceiling on unmanned aircraft operations, potentially impacting necessary surveying or monitoring tasks.
Relying solely on police directions for exceptions creates an administrative burden for drone operators needing to confirm operational status with the designated authority (Northumbria Police) before flying near or within the zone.
The temporary nature, while intended to be brief, means drone operators must constantly monitor official channels for the revocation notice before resuming normal operations.
S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 612
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Cramlington, Newcastle) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
This identifies the instrument as a Statutory Instrument (UK secondary legislation) numbered 612 for the year 2026.
The legislation specifically concerns Civil Aviation and is titled The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Cramlington, Newcastle) (Emergency) Regulations 2026.
Made
----at 10.55 a.m. on 9th June 2026
Coming into force with immediate effect
The regulations were formally made on June 9th, 2026, at 10:55 a.m.
Crucially, the provisions come into force immediately upon being made, indicating the urgency of the situation.
The Secretary of State for a reason affecting the public interest deems it necessary to restrict flying in the area specified in the Schedule by reason of an emergency having arisen in that area.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).
The Secretary of State has decided to restrict flying based on an emergency that has occurred, deeming the restriction necessary due to a matter affecting the public interest.
The legal authority for creating these specific restrictions comes from Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Cramlington, Newcastle) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
This section establishes the official short title for the legislation.
It reiterates that the regulations are effective immediately upon their making.
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 Northumbria Police.
Regulation 2 prohibits unmanned aircraft (drones) from flying less than 1,300 feet above the ground within a circular area defined in the Schedule.
Regulation 3 provides an exception, permitting any unmanned aircraft to ignore the ban if it is operating according to instructions issued by the Northumbria Police.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
At 10.55 a.m. on 9th June 2026
Amanda Lane Grade 6 Department for Transport
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
This confirms the official signing of the document by an authorised official from the Department for Transport at the time the regulations were made.
The footnote cites the primary legal instrument (S.I. 2016/765) and a subsequent amendment (S.I. 2024/990) that together provide the foundation for the powers used.
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |------------------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Cramlington, Newcastle | 1 nautical miles | 550441N 0013410W |
This table precisely defines the geographical area affected by the restrictions.
The area is centred near Cramlington, Newcastle, uses a radius of 1 nautical mile, and has its centre point fixed at the coordinates 55 degrees 04.41 minutes North latitude and 001 degree 34.10 minutes West longitude.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions of an emergency nature on flying in the area specified in the Schedule. They are intended to be of temporary duration and will be revoked as soon as the emergency in question has passed.
This note clarifies that the regulations establish temporary restrictions due to an emergency affecting the specified area.
The statement confirms the intention is to remove these restrictions as soon as the emergency situation concludes.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
This denotes the start of the Schedule, which contains the detailed definition of the restricted area referenced by Regulation 2.
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