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

Published: Thu 2nd Jul 26

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Coventry) Regulations 2026 prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,300 feet above mean sea level in a specific area of Coventry.

These restrictions apply between 11:00 and 22:59 UTC on 4 July and 5 July 2026 to manage risks associated with large public gatherings.

The order applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, except those granted specific permission by the West Midlands Police Counter-UAS Team.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The explanatory note states that both the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree the measures are necessary for public safety and security.
Proponents may argue that the exemptions provided for aircraft with police permission ensure flexibility for authorized operations while maintaining overall security.

Arguments Against

Legal scholars might note that the regulations lack a specific definition of 'unmanned aircraft,' potentially leading to ambiguity regarding small consumer drones versus larger commercial systems.
Civil liberties organizations could raise concerns regarding the breadth of police discretion in granting or withholding permissions for flights under regulation 3(2).
Affected parties, such as local drone operators or news organizations, may argue the restricted area coordinates and altitude limits impose operational constraints on non-security-related activities.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Coventry) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 4th July 2026.

This section establishes the official name of the statutory instrument.

It sets the legal effective date as 4 July 2026.

Interpretation

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

( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).

This section defines the time standard used throughout the document.

It clarifies that all উল্লেখিত times are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), noting that this is one hour behind British Summer Time.

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1100 hours and ending with 2259 hours on each of the two days of 4th and 5th July 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by the following points-

(a) 522441N, 0013053W,
(b) 522446N, 0013033W,
(c) 522437N, 0013015W,
(d) 522431N, 0013009W,
(e) 522421N, 0013008W,
(f) 522423N, 0013056W, and
(g) 522441N, 0013053W.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the West Midlands Police Counter-UAS Team.

This section mandates a temporary flight restriction zone for unmanned aircraft within specific geographic coordinates at altitudes below 1,300 feet.

It specifies the restriction periods as 11:00 to 22:59 UTC on 4 July and 5 July 2026.

Sub-paragraph (2) identifies the West Midlands Police Counter-UAS Team as the authority capable of granting exemptions to this prohibition.

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