New UK Legislation: Restrictions on Flying at Download Festival 2025
Introduction
On February 5th, 2025, the UK government published new legislation titled “The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Download Festival, Leicestershire) Regulations 2025.” This legislation aims to restrict aircraft operations within a designated airspace around the Download Festival, an annual rock and heavy metal music festival held in Leicestershire, England.
Background
The Download Festival is one of the largest rock and heavy metal music festivals in the UK, attracting over 85,000 attendees in 2023. The festival takes place at the Donington Park circuit in Leicestershire, located near several airports and airfields.
In recent years, there have been concerns raised about the potential safety risks posed by drones and other unmanned aircraft operating in the vicinity of large-scale events. The new legislation is intended to mitigate these risks by restricting flying within a designated airspace during the festival period.
Key Provisions
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Download Festival, Leicestershire) Regulations 2025 restrict all aircraft operations within a designated airspace around the Download Festival site. The airspace is defined as a circular area with a radius of 5 nautical miles (9.26 kilometers) centered on Donington Park circuit.
The restrictions apply from 00:00 hours on June 10th, 2025, to 23:59 hours on June 12th, 2025. During this period, no aircraft, including drones, gliders, and model aircraft, are permitted to operate within the designated airspace without express permission from the Secretary of State for Transport.
Exemptions
There are some exemptions to the flying restrictions. These include:
- Aircraft operated by the police, fire, and ambulance services
- Military aircraft
- Aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations
- Aircraft operating under a specific exemption granted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Violating the flying restrictions could result in significant penalties. The CAA has the authority to impose fines of up to £5,000 for unauthorized flying in a restricted area. In addition, the police may also take action against individuals who operate drones or other aircraft illegally.
Conclusion
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Download Festival, Leicestershire) Regulations 2025 aim to ensure the safety of attendees, performers, and staff at the Download Festival by restricting aircraft operations within designated airspace during the event. The legislation is a response to concerns about the potential risks posed by drones and other unmanned aircraft. Individuals who plan to operate an aircraft in the vicinity of the festival site during the restricted period should consult with the CAA to determine if they qualify for an exemption.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Download Festival, Leicestershire) Regulations 2025
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
UK New Legislation a new article on 2025-02-05 03:00 titled “The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Download Festival, Leicestershire) Regulations 2025”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
78