Drone No-Fly Zones in the UK: Where You Cannot Fly

Why No-Fly Zones Exist

No-fly zones protect manned aircraft, people on the ground, and sensitive infrastructure from the risks posed by unmanned aircraft. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) designates these areas under the Air Navigation Order 2016 (ANO 2016) and related legislation. Flying in a restricted area without authorisation is a criminal offence that can result in prosecution and an unlimited fine.

Flight Restriction Zones (FRZs) Around Airports

Every UK aerodrome with an instrument approach procedure or an air traffic control (ATC) service has a designated Flight Restriction Zone. FRZs typically extend to a radius of approximately 2.5 nautical miles from the runway centre and up to 2,000 feet above aerodrome level, though dimensions vary by aerodrome.

Within an FRZ, you must not fly any unmanned aircraft without explicit permission from the air traffic control unit at that aerodrome. This applies regardless of the size or weight of your drone. The major FRZs include those around Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, but smaller aerodromes also have FRZs.

How FRZ Boundaries Work

FRZ shapes are not always simple circles. They often follow the extended runway centre lines and include a surrounding buffer zone. The exact coordinates for each FRZ are published in the UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). The simplest way to check is by using the NATS Drone Assist app, which displays all FRZ boundaries on an interactive map.

Danger Areas and Restricted Airspace

The UK has numerous Danger Areas (prefixed with EG D) and Restricted Areas (prefixed with EG R) published in the AIP. Danger Areas are typically used for military exercises, weapons testing, or other hazardous activities. Restricted Areas prohibit or limit flight operations within their boundaries.

Notable examples include the Danger Areas over Salisbury Plain (military training), the Restricted Area around central London (EG R158), and various coastal Danger Areas used by the Ministry of Defence. The activation times of Danger Areas vary and can be checked through NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) services.

Prisons and Other Sensitive Sites

Under the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021, it is an offence to fly a drone within the restricted zone of a prison, young offender institution, or immigration removal centre in England and Wales. Similar provisions exist for Scotland. The restricted zone extends to 400 metres horizontally and 120 metres vertically from the boundary of such sites.

National Parks, Nature Reserves, and Heritage Sites

While national parks are not automatically no-fly zones under aviation law, many have local bylaws restricting drone use. For example, the National Trust prohibits drone flying on its land without written permission. Natural England and equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales may also restrict drone activity in Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) to protect wildlife.

Always check with the specific park authority or land manager before flying. Even if airspace restrictions do not apply, you still need the landowner's permission to take off and land.

Temporary Restrictions and NOTAMs

Temporary no-fly zones can be established through Temporary Danger Areas (TDAs) or NOTAMs. These are issued for events such as major sporting occasions, VIP movements, air displays, or emergency incidents. NOTAM information is available through the NATS AIS website and should be checked on the day of your planned flight.

How to Check Before You Fly

The CAA recommends using these resources to verify whether your planned flight location is within a no-fly zone:

• NATS Drone Assist app — displays FRZs, Danger Areas, Restricted Areas, and other airspace restrictions on an interactive map
• CAA Drone and Model Aircraft Registration (DMAR) service — provides guidance on airspace restrictions
• NOTAM briefing — check for temporary restrictions through the NATS AIS service
• Local authority and land manager — contact relevant bodies for ground-level bylaws and permissions

Checking airspace is your legal responsibility as the remote pilot. Ignorance of a restriction is not a defence.