The move follows a major incident at Gatwick Airport in December that saw thousands of flights delayed or cancelled after a drone was spotted flying in its airspace.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said that the new rules will come into force next month and will include an airport’s aerodrome traffic zone as well as 5km by 1km extensions from the end of runways to protect take-off and landing paths. Under current laws only a 1km restriction is in place.

The DfT has asked airports and local authorities to publicise the new rules so that innocent drone hobbyists don’t get caught out.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “The law is clear that flying a drone near an airport is a serious criminal act.”

“We’re now going even further and extending the no-fly zone to help keep our airports secure and our skies safe. We are also working to raise awareness of the rules in place. Anyone flying their drone within the vicinity of an airport should know they are not only acting irresponsibly, but criminally, and could face imprisonment.”

There were 125 near misses between drones and aircraft reported in 2018, up 34 per cent on the total of 93 during the previous year. Just six incidents were recorded in 2014.

The Government has also partnered with Jessops to ensure it tells customers about the latest rules around flying drones. Ian Savage, head of retail and academy training at Jessops, said: “Along with the pleasure drones bring comes a responsibility for the user to ensure they are flying their drone safely and legally. As one of the leading drone retailers, Jessops is committed to ensuring it communicates the new laws to all its customers.”

The Government is working on a new Drones Bill which will give police officers powers to stop and search people suspected of using drones maliciously above 120m or within 5km of an airport

It will also give forces the power to access electronic data stored on a drone with a warrant.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Extending stop and search to include drones will help police tackle disruption like the recent misery we saw at UK airports, when travel was ruined for thousands of innocent passengers, and bring those responsible to justice.”

“Police are clear that stop and search is one of the most powerful tools they have to target and disrupt crime and I remain committed to giving them all the support they need to protect the public.”

From 30 November 2019 the owners of drones which weigh between 250g and 20kg will be required to register their devices, and drone pilots will have to pass an online safety test.

In January this year, defence secretary Gavin Williamson said that all UK airports will need to purchase anti-drone equipment because the Royal Air Force cannot deal with every incident where drones are flown near runways. 

With the criminal use of drones around busy airports on the rise, E&T looked at some of the techniques that must be developed to prevent incidents like the disruption at Gatwick Airport from happening again.

The move follows a major incident at Gatwick Airport in December that saw thousands of flights delayed or cancelled after a drone was spotted flying in its airspace.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said that the new rules will come into force next month and will include an airport’s aerodrome traffic zone as well as 5km by 1km extensions from the end of runways to protect take-off and landing paths. Under current laws only a 1km restriction is in place.

The DfT has asked airports and local authorities to publicise the new rules so that innocent drone hobbyists don’t get caught out.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “The law is clear that flying a drone near an airport is a serious criminal act.”

“We’re now going even further and extending the no-fly zone to help keep our airports secure and our skies safe. We are also working to raise awareness of the rules in place. Anyone flying their drone within the vicinity of an airport should know they are not only acting irresponsibly, but criminally, and could face imprisonment.”

There were 125 near misses between drones and aircraft reported in 2018, up 34 per cent on the total of 93 during the previous year. Just six incidents were recorded in 2014.

The Government has also partnered with Jessops to ensure it tells customers about the latest rules around flying drones. Ian Savage, head of retail and academy training at Jessops, said: “Along with the pleasure drones bring comes a responsibility for the user to ensure they are flying their drone safely and legally. As one of the leading drone retailers, Jessops is committed to ensuring it communicates the new laws to all its customers.”

The Government is working on a new Drones Bill which will give police officers powers to stop and search people suspected of using drones maliciously above 120m or within 5km of an airport

It will also give forces the power to access electronic data stored on a drone with a warrant.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Extending stop and search to include drones will help police tackle disruption like the recent misery we saw at UK airports, when travel was ruined for thousands of innocent passengers, and bring those responsible to justice.”

“Police are clear that stop and search is one of the most powerful tools they have to target and disrupt crime and I remain committed to giving them all the support they need to protect the public.”

From 30 November 2019 the owners of drones which weigh between 250g and 20kg will be required to register their devices, and drone pilots will have to pass an online safety test.

In January this year, defence secretary Gavin Williamson said that all UK airports will need to purchase anti-drone equipment because the Royal Air Force cannot deal with every incident where drones are flown near runways. 

With the criminal use of drones around busy airports on the rise, E&T looked at some of the techniques that must be developed to prevent incidents like the disruption at Gatwick Airport from happening again.