Drone operators could face jail and fine for flouting new regulations

 

The UK government has announced new rules to ban drones from flying within 1 km of airports, so that collisions with planes can be prevented.

The Department for Transport said that the number of ‘Drone incidents with aircraft” had risen from six in 2014 to 93 last year.

The new rules, which will come into effect at the end of the July 2018, will also restrict drones from flying above 400ft. Violations could be punished with unlimited fines, five years in jail, or, in some cases, both.

Liz Sugg, Aviation minister said: “ Whilst we want this industry to innovate and grow, we need to protect planes, helicopters and their passengers from the increasing numbers of drones in our skies.”

Drone Industry could be worth £42bn by 2030.

Other rule changes, set to go into effect at the end of November 2019, will require all drone pilots to take an online safety test and under those rules, people owning drones weighing more than 250kg will also have to register with the Civil Aviation Authority.

The government also has plans to publish a “drone bill” later this year. Which will give police more tailored powers to intervene on the spot if drones are being used inappropriately.

Commercial drone operators are already required to fly under 400ft unless they have permission from the CAA.