Penalties for Flying a Drone Near a UK Airport

Why Airport Drone Restrictions Exist

Drones pose a serious threat to manned aviation. A collision between a drone and a commercial aircraft could have catastrophic consequences. The risk increases dramatically in the vicinity of airports, where aircraft are at low altitudes during take-off and landing — the most critical phases of flight.

Following the disruption at Gatwick Airport in December 2018, which caused approximately 1,000 flight cancellations and affected over 140,000 passengers, the UK government introduced stricter legislation and extended existing Flight Restriction Zones.

What Is a Flight Restriction Zone?

A Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) is a volume of protected airspace surrounding an aerodrome. The shape and size of each FRZ varies by airport, but generally:

• A circular zone extends at least 2 km from the aerodrome reference point
• Rectangular zones extend up to 5 km along the runway centreline in both directions
• The protected airspace extends from ground level to the traffic zone ceiling

FRZs apply to all aerodromes in the UK that are licensed or have an active instrument approach procedure. This includes major international airports, regional airports, and some smaller aerodromes.

The Legal Penalties

The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 created a specific offence for flying drones within an FRZ without authorisation. The penalties are among the harshest in UK drone law:

• Maximum fine: unlimited
• Maximum custodial sentence: up to five years' imprisonment
• Equipment confiscation: police may seize the drone and any associated equipment

If the drone flight also endangered an aircraft, a separate charge under Article 241 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 may apply, which carries the same maximum penalties.

Police Powers Near Airports

The 2021 Act granted police enhanced powers specifically related to drones near airports:

• Stop and search: officers may stop and search a person or vehicle if they reasonably suspect an offence has been committed involving a drone near an airport
• Enter and search land: officers may enter land (not dwellings) to search for drones or related equipment
• Seize equipment: drones, controllers, phones, tablets, and storage media may be seized as evidence
• Require identification: officers may require a suspected operator to provide their name and address

These powers supplement the existing powers available under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE).

Counter-Drone Technology at Airports

Many UK airports have invested in counter-drone detection systems capable of identifying and tracking drone activity within and around FRZs. These systems can:

• Detect RF signals between a drone and its controller
• Track the location of both the drone and the operator
• Record evidence for subsequent prosecution

The presence of these systems means that drone incursions into FRZs are increasingly likely to be detected and investigated.

Permitted Flying Within an FRZ

It is possible to fly legally within an FRZ, but only with explicit permission. This requires:

• Written permission from the air traffic control unit at the relevant aerodrome
• A valid operational authorisation from the CAA, if required for the type of operation
• Compliance with any conditions attached to the permission

Permission is typically granted to experienced operators conducting specific tasks such as infrastructure inspections or aerial surveys, and only under controlled conditions.