The Drone Weather Forecast zone map has 2,191 drone zones in the United Kingdom, from DJI FlySafe. 565 of them close the airspace from the ground up. Below are the zone types, the largest zones, the rules at a glance and the official links to request permission when you need to fly inside a zone.
Zone types
| Zone | Count | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 🟥 Prohibited | 271 | No flying from the ground up without a special permission: the area closest to airport runways, prisons, military sites, capital-city no-fly areas. |
| 🟧 Authorization required | 294 | You may fly only with an authorization from the aviation authority or the airspace manager, for example around airports and in controlled airspace. |
| 🟨 Warning | 1,626 | Not closed, but fly with care and follow the local rules: heliports, small airfields, military training areas, stadiums, nature reserves. |
Largest restricted zones
| Zone | Strictest part |
|---|---|
| Scampton | 🟥 Prohibited |
| PEMBREY | 🟧 Authorization required |
| Boscombe Down | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Wittering | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Lakenheath AB | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Edinburgh | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Stansted | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Newquay | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Fairford | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Cranwell | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Prestwick | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Mildenhall | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Manchester | 🟧 Authorization required |
| Brize Norton AB | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Lossiemouth | 🟥 Prohibited |
Drone rules in the United Kingdom at a glance
- Aviation authority: UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
- Maximum height: 120 m (400 ft) above the ground, unless an authorization allows more.
- Registration: Since 1 January 2026 you need a Flyer ID (online theory test) for a drone of 100 g or more, and an Operator ID if it is 250 g or more, or 100 g or more with a camera. Official page
- Official map: NATS UAS restriction map
- From 1 January 2026, Remote ID must be on when flying a UK1, UK2 or UK3 class drone.
- Never fly over crowds, whatever the size of the drone.
How to get authorization to fly in a restricted zone
Steps and links from official sources, checked in September 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official website (CAA) before you fly.
- Check Flight Restriction Zones and other restrictions on the NATS map, and NOTAMs for temporary ones. Official page
- To fly inside an airport's Flight Restriction Zone, get permission from that airport's air traffic control, or from the airport itself when ATC is not operating. Official page
- For other restricted airspace (prisons, military ranges), ask the authority responsible, as published in the UK AIP. Official page
- To fly outside the Drone Code limits, apply for a CAA operational authorisation in the Specific category. Official page
- Flying a DJI drone? With the authorization in hand, request an unlock on DJI FlySafe. DJI's unlock does not replace the authority's permission.
Check zones and weather before you fly
The Drone Weather Forecast app shows these zones on a map with their real shapes and height limits, next to the hourly wind, gusts, rain, KP index and satellites for your drone model.
Frequently asked questions
Where can't you fly a drone in the United Kingdom?
Around airports, military bases and other restricted areas. The app's map has 565 zones in the United Kingdom where you cannot fly from the ground up without an authorization; the official map is NATS UAS restriction map. Temporary restrictions can appear at any time, so check before every flight.
Do I need permission to fly a drone near an airport in the United Kingdom?
Yes. Flying inside an airport zone or other restricted airspace needs an authorization. Responsible authority: UK Civil Aviation Authority. The official steps and links are on this page.
How high can you fly a drone in the United Kingdom?
Up to 120 m (400 ft) above the ground under the general rules, unless an authorization allows more. Near airports the limit can be lower, or zero.
Where does this zone data come from?
From DJI FlySafe's GEO zones: no official zone dataset in the United Kingdom can be used in the app yet. DJI's GEO zones are a safety layer built into DJI drones, not the official airspace: the binding zones and rules are the ones published by the aviation authority, UK Civil Aviation Authority (official map: NATS UAS restriction map).
Zone counts and names: DJI FlySafe, as shipped in the Drone Weather Forecast app on October 14, 2026. A safety guide, not the official airspace: the aviation authority publishes the binding zones and temporary restrictions.