The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Grimsby) Regulations 2026

Published: Thu 11th Jun 26

These Regulations restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within a clearly defined area of Grimsby between 0900 and 1600 hours Co-ordinated Universal Time on June 11, 2026, to ensure public safety and security during an intended Royal visit, with an allowed exception for aircraft operating under specific permission issued by Humberside Police.

Arguments For

Ensuring the safety and security of a planned Royal visit in Grimsby.
Utilizing existing powers under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 to maintain public order during sensitive events.
Establishing a clear, measurable geographical area and altitude restriction to minimize disruption while managing specific security risks associated with unmanned aircraft (drones).
Providing an explicit exemption mechanism through permission granted by Humberside Police, allowing necessary operations to proceed under controlled supervision.

Arguments Against

Imposing a temporary but complete restriction on standard drone usage for legitimate purposes (e.g., photography, inspection) within the defined airspace for the specified 7-hour period.
The restriction is based solely on an intended Royal visit, which may be seen as prioritizing ceremonial security over general airspace accessibility for the public and commercial users.
The need to consult with Humberside Police for permissions adds an administrative step for operators who might otherwise be legally flying drones outside of this specific restriction window.
The altitude restriction (below 1,100 feet) targets lower-level drone operations specifically, potentially affecting smaller commercial drone activities more than conventional aircraft.

2026 No. 582

CIVIL AVIATION

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Grimsby) Regulations 2026

| Made - - - | 3rd June 2026 | |---------------------|-----------------| | Coming into force - | 11th June 2026 |

This is the official statutory instrument number (2026 No. 582) falling under the domain of Civil Aviation.

It establishes the title of the regulations and specifies that they were officially made on June 3rd, 2026, and come into legal effect on June 11th, 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 an intended Royal visit that is due to take place there.

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 determined that restricting unmanned aircraft (drones) flying within the specified area is necessary for the public interest.

This necessity arises from an upcoming Royal visit scheduled for the vicinity.

The authority to create these regulations stems from powers granted under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Grimsby) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 11th June 2026.

This operative section sets the short title by which the rules are known and confirms the exact date when the restrictions legally begin, which is June 11, 2026.

Interpretation

In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).

This rule defines that any time mentioned in Regulation 3(1), which details the restriction period, must be read using Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), beginning with 0900 hours and ending with 1600 hours on 11th June 2026 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) 533416N 0000551W,
(b) 533425N 0000459W,
(c) 533436N 0000217W,
(d) 533236N 0000054W,
(e) 533221N 0000157W,
(f) 533309N 0000532W, and
(g) 533416N 0000551W.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Humberside Police.

Sub-paragraph (1) establishes the core restriction: between 0900 and 1600 UTC on June 11, 2026, unmanned aircraft cannot fly lower than 1,100 feet above sea level.

This restriction applies within a precisely defined geographical area set by the seven listed latitude/longitude coordinates.

Sub-paragraph (2) provides an exemption: any unmanned aircraft operating under a specific permission granted by Humberside Police is exempt from this general flight restriction.

( 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).

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport

3rd June 2026

This section provides source citations referencing the primary legislation (The Air Navigation Order 2016) and an amendment that brought the enabling powers into force.

It also clarifies that UTC is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).

The document is formally signed on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport on June 3, 2026.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Grimsby, Lincolnshire due to a Royal visit that is scheduled to take place there. At the request of Humberside Police, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that the flying of unmanned aircraft should be restricted 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), the Humberside Police may be contacted as notified.

Full details of this Statutory Instrument will be promulgated by Briefing Sheet and Notice to Aviation (NOTAM).

The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr David Ridley, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382471.

Karen L Michaels Grade 7 Department for Transport

The Explanatory Note confirms the purpose of the rules: limiting drone usage near Grimsby, Lincolnshire, for a Royal visit, based on an agreement between the Police, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Department for Transport concerning public safety and security.

The note reiterates that times are UTC, which is BST minus one hour, and advises that Humberside Police handle permissions for exemptions.

Further operational details will be shared via official aviation briefings and Notices to Airmen, and it provides a specific contact within the Civil Aviation Authority for inquiries.

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