Drone Rules Near Cardiff Airport — Flight Restriction Zone Guide (2026)
Quick answer: Cardiff Airport (EGFF) in the Vale of Glamorgan has a Flight Restriction Zone that covers parts of Rhoose, Barry, and the surrounding rural areas. Additionally, MOD St Athan lies immediately to the west, creating a separate restricted area that further limits where you can fly. You must not fly a drone inside either restricted zone without prior permission. Outside these zones, standard CAA rules apply including registration, a 120-metre altitude limit, and visual line of sight requirements.
FRZ Overview
Cardiff Airport is located at Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan, approximately 12 miles south-west of Cardiff city centre. It is the only major commercial airport in Wales and handles scheduled passenger flights, charter services, and general aviation. The airport sits on elevated ground overlooking the Bristol Channel coastline.
The FRZ is established under the Air Navigation Order 2016 (as amended). A significant additional factor at Cardiff Airport is the proximity of MOD St Athan, a military airfield located just over one mile to the west. MOD St Athan has its own restricted airspace that may overlap with or extend beyond the Cardiff Airport FRZ. Drone operators in this area must check for both sets of restrictions.
Flying a drone within the Cardiff Airport FRZ or the MOD St Athan restricted area without permission is a criminal offence carrying serious penalties.
FRZ Details — Inner and Outer Zones
Inner Zone
The inner zone extends approximately one kilometre either side of the runway centreline and around one kilometre beyond each runway threshold. Cardiff Airport has a single main runway running roughly east to west. The inner zone covers the airport terminal, the village of Rhoose, and parts of the coastal farmland to the south.
No recreational drone flights are permitted within the inner zone. Commercial operators with a CAA operational authorisation may apply for access, but approval requires detailed safety documentation and is not routinely granted.
Outer Zone
The outer zone extends further from the runway, covering a broader area that includes the town of Barry to the east, the village of Llantwit Major to the west, and coastal areas along the Bristol Channel to the south. The approach and departure paths extend the zone eastward towards Dinas Powys and westward towards St Athan.
Within the outer zone, drone flights may be possible with prior permission from the airport. Contact Cardiff Airport at least three working days before your planned flight with full details of your location, altitude, time, drone model, and purpose.
MOD St Athan Restricted Area
MOD St Athan sits approximately one mile west of Cardiff Airport. It maintains its own restricted airspace, which may include Danger Areas or Temporary Restricted Areas that are active at certain times. These restrictions apply independently of the Cardiff Airport FRZ and may cover areas that fall outside the airport's own zone.
Always check for active NOTAMs and military airspace designations around St Athan before planning any flight in the Vale of Glamorgan. The MOD manages its own airspace permissions separately from Cardiff Airport.
CAA Airspace Map
The exact FRZ boundary is displayed on the CAA interactive airspace map and the NATS Drone Assist app. These tools also show military Danger Areas, including those associated with MOD St Athan. Always verify both the civilian FRZ and any military restrictions on the day of your planned flight.
Flying Outside the FRZ
Areas outside both the Cardiff Airport FRZ and the MOD St Athan restricted area are subject to standard CAA drone regulations:
- Registration: Flyer ID required for drones 100g or heavier. Operator ID required for drones 250g or heavier, or 100g+ with a camera.
- Altitude: Maximum 120 metres (400 feet) above the closest point of the earth surface.
- Visual line of sight: You must maintain unaided visual contact with your drone at all times.
- People distance: Drones over 250g must maintain 50 metres horizontally from uninvolved people. Sub-250g drones in the Open A1 category may fly closer but must not intentionally overfly crowds.
- Landowner permission: Obtain consent before taking off or landing on private property.
The Glamorgan Heritage Coast to the south and west offers dramatic clifftop scenery that attracts drone photographers. Parts of this coastline may fall outside the airport FRZ, but verify the boundary carefully, particularly near Llantwit Major and Nash Point where the outer zone and MOD airspace may extend further than expected.
Cardiff city centre, Cardiff Bay, and the Millennium Stadium area sit approximately 12 miles north-east of the airport and are likely outside the FRZ. However, these urban areas present their own challenges with crowd density and the 50-metre people-distance requirement for drones over 250g.
Requesting FRZ Permission
- Confirm your planned flight location falls within the Cardiff Airport FRZ using the CAA airspace map. Also check whether it falls within MOD St Athan restricted airspace.
- For the airport FRZ, contact Cardiff Airport drone enquiries via the airport website.
- For MOD St Athan airspace, contact the relevant MOD authority. Permission processes are separate.
- Provide your CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID numbers.
- Submit the date, time window, GPS coordinates, maximum altitude, drone model, and flight purpose.
- Allow a minimum of three working days for airport processing. MOD permissions may require longer lead times.
- If approved, comply strictly with all conditions, which may include altitude restrictions, time windows, and communication requirements.
If your planned flight location falls within both the airport FRZ and MOD restricted airspace, you will need permission from both authorities.
Penalties for FRZ Breaches
- Flying without registration: Fine of up to GBP 2,500.
- Flying in the FRZ without permission: Prosecution under the Air Navigation Order 2016, Article 94A. Unlimited fine on conviction.
- Flying in MOD restricted airspace: Additional military airspace offences may apply, with potentially more severe consequences.
- Endangering an aircraft: Prosecution under the Air Navigation Order and potentially the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990. Maximum penalty includes imprisonment.
- Police powers: Under the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021, police may seize drones, issue stop orders, and require operator identification.
South Wales Police work with Cardiff Airport and MOD St Athan to enforce airspace compliance. The dual civilian-military nature of this area means that enforcement resources are particularly responsive to drone sightings.
Summary
- Cardiff Airport (EGFF) has an FRZ covering Rhoose, parts of Barry, and surrounding Vale of Glamorgan areas.
- MOD St Athan lies immediately west of the airport with its own separate restricted airspace. Check for both sets of restrictions before flying.
- The inner zone prohibits recreational drone flights entirely. The outer zone requires prior airport permission.
- If your flight location falls within both airport and MOD restricted airspace, you need permission from both authorities.
- Always verify the FRZ boundary and MOD Danger Areas on the CAA airspace map or NATS Drone Assist, plus check NOTAMs on the day of your flight.
- Breaching the FRZ or MOD airspace is a criminal offence with penalties including unlimited fines and potential imprisonment.
Legal references: Air Navigation Order 2016 (as amended) | CAA Drone Code (CAP2320, March 2026) | Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 | Cardiff Airport
Flying near Cardiff Airport? Check FRZ boundaries, MOD airspace, registration status, and local rules in one place.
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