Heathrow Airport Drone Laws 2026: FRZ, Rules & No-Fly Zone Explained
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What Is the Heathrow Airport Drone No-Fly Zone?
The Heathrow airport drone no-fly zone is formally known as a Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ), defined under Article 94A of the UK Air Navigation Order 2018. This is the most stringent drone restriction at any single UK airport, reflecting Heathrow’s status as the busiest airport in Europe, handling over 80 million passengers annually. The FRZ prohibits all drone flights within a specifically mapped area around the airport unless you have obtained explicit permission from the CAA.
The FRZ is not a simple circle. It comprises a 5km radius centred on the airport reference point (ARP) at Heathrow, plus a 1km extension along the extended centreline of each runway, reaching out to a total distance of 5km from the runway ends. This creates a shape that covers the airport’s approach and departure paths, which are the most critical zones for aircraft safety. The zone extends from ground level up to 2,000 feet above ground level (AGL), which is well above the standard 400ft drone altitude limit.
Heathrow FRZ Drone: What the Law Says Under the Air Navigation Order 2018
The legal basis for the Heathrow FRZ drone restrictions is Article 94A of the Air Navigation Order 2018 (ANO 2018). This article was introduced in response to the Gatwick drone incident and came into force on 13 March 2019. It makes it an offence to cause a drone to enter an FRZ without permission from the CAA. The penalty for doing so can be up to £2,500, and in serious cases, you could face prosecution under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990, which carries potential prison sentences.
Key Provisions of Article 94A
- No drone flight within the FRZ without CAA permission
- Permission must be obtained in advance via the CAA’s online portal or the Drone Assist app
- The FRZ applies to all unmanned aircraft, including model aircraft and tethered drones
- Exemptions exist only for emergency services with prior CAA coordination
- You must also comply with all other UK drone laws, including registration and the Drone Code
It is critical to understand that the FRZ is not a “suggested” restriction—it is a legal prohibition. If you fly a drone within the FRZ without permission, you are breaking the law, and the CAA, together with the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police, actively monitor for violations. Heathrow Airport itself has its own security team that can report drone sightings to the authorities.
Drone Near Heathrow: The Gatwick Incident That Changed UK Drone Law
To understand why the Heathrow airport drone laws are so strict, you need to know about the Gatwick drone incident of December 2018. Between 19 and 21 December 2018, repeated drone sightings near Gatwick Airport—the UK’s second busiest airport—caused the complete shutdown of all flights for 36 hours. Over 1,000 flights were cancelled or diverted, affecting approximately 140,000 passengers. The economic cost was estimated at £50 million.
The incident exposed a major gap in UK drone legislation. At the time, there was no specific law prohibiting drones near airports beyond general rules about endangering aircraft. The government acted swiftly, introducing the FRZ system in March 2019, which applied to all major UK airports, including Heathrow. The incident also led to the creation of the Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service (DMARES) and the mandatory registration system for drones over 250g.
Flying a Drone Near Heathrow: What the CAA Says
The CAA’s guidance on flying a drone near Heathrow is unambiguous: do not fly within the FRZ unless you have prior permission. The CAA operates a permission system through the Drone Assist app (developed by NATS) and the CAA’s own online portal. Here is what you need to know about getting that permission.
How to Get Permission to Fly Near Heathrow
Use the Drone Assist app or the NATS Drone Safety Map to see if your intended flight location is inside the Heathrow FRZ. The boundary is clearly marked.
If you need to fly within the FRZ for a legitimate reason (e.g., commercial survey, emergency response), you must apply via the CAA’s online portal. Expect to provide detailed flight plans, risk assessments, and proof of competency.
Processing times vary, but you should allow at least 28 days. The CAA will coordinate with NATS and Heathrow Airport to ensure your flight does not conflict with aircraft operations.
If approved, you will receive specific conditions, including altitude limits, time windows, and communication protocols with air traffic control.
For the vast majority of recreational drone pilots, permission will not be granted. The CAA’s policy is to refuse any non-essential drone flights within the FRZ. If you live inside the zone, you must travel outside the 5km radius to fly legally.
Areas Inside the Heathrow FRZ: What You Need to Know
The Heathrow FRZ covers a significant portion of west London and parts of Berkshire. Here are the key areas affected, with practical advice for each.
| Area | Inside FRZ? | Practical Advice for Drone Pilots |
|---|---|---|
| Hounslow | Fully inside | No drone flights possible without CAA permission. Travel east to Chiswick or west to Staines. |
| Southall | Fully inside | Same as Hounslow. The FRZ covers the entire borough. |
| Hayes | Fully inside | Heathrow’s northern suburbs are completely restricted. |
| Slough | Partially inside | The southern part of Slough, near the M4, is inside the FRZ. Northern Slough is outside. |
| Richmond Park | Partially inside | The southern edge of Richmond Park (near Roehampton Gate) is inside the FRZ. The rest is outside but subject to Royal Park rules. |
| Windsor Castle | Outside (but very close) | Windsor Castle is outside the FRZ but has its own additional restrictions as a protected royal site. |
| Terminal 5 area | Fully inside | The entire airport perimeter, including all terminals and approach paths, is restricted. |
Richmond Park and the FRZ Boundary
Richmond Park is a special case that causes confusion for many London drone pilots. The park is a Royal Park with its own byelaws that prohibit drone flying to protect the deer and wildlife. However, the southern edge of the park—specifically the area around Roehampton Gate and the Isabella Plantation—falls inside the Heathrow FRZ. This means even if you somehow obtained permission from the Royal Parks (which is rarely granted), you would still need CAA permission to fly in that part of the park. The northern two-thirds of Richmond Park are outside the FRZ, but you still cannot fly there without Royal Parks permission, which is essentially never given for recreational use.
LHR Drone Restrictions: Enforcement and Penalties
The enforcement of LHR drone restrictions is taken extremely seriously. The CAA, Metropolitan Police, and Heathrow Airport security all have the authority to take action against drone pilots who violate the FRZ. Here is what you face if you are caught.
- Fixed penalty notice of up to £2,500 for entering an FRZ without permission
- Confiscation of your drone and equipment
- Prosecution under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990, which carries up to 5 years in prison for endangering an aircraft
- Civil liability for any damages caused (e.g., flight cancellations, diversions)
Heathrow Airport has its own counter-drone technology, including detection systems and radio frequency jammers. If your drone is detected inside the FRZ, the airport may take immediate action, including grounding flights. In 2023, the CAA reported multiple incidents of drones flying near Heathrow, all of which were investigated, and several resulted in prosecutions.
How to Check If You Are Inside the Heathrow FRZ
Before every flight in west London, you must verify your location against the FRZ boundary. The best tool for this is the Drone Assist app, developed by NATS (the UK’s air traffic control provider). This app is free and shows the exact FRZ boundaries for all UK airports, including Heathrow. You can also use the NATS Drone Safety Map online.
If you are unsure about a specific location, use our No-Fly Zone Checker to quickly determine whether your intended flight site falls within any restricted airspace. This tool is updated regularly with the latest CAA data.
Summary: Flying Safely and Legally Near Heathrow
The Heathrow airport drone laws are clear: you cannot fly a drone within the 5km FRZ plus runway extensions without explicit CAA permission, and for most recreational pilots, that permission will not be granted. The Gatwick drone incident of 2018 is the reason these laws exist, and they are enforced with zero tolerance. If you live in Hounslow, Southall, Hayes, or anywhere else inside the zone, you must travel outside the boundary to fly legally. Always check the FRZ boundary using the Drone Assist app or our No-Fly Zone Checker before every flight. Remember that even if you are outside the FRZ, you must still follow the Drone Code: keep your drone below 400 feet, stay at least 50 metres from people and property, and never fly near aircraft. By following these rules, you can enjoy flying your drone responsibly while keeping Heathrow’s skies safe for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Heathrow drone no-fly zone?
The Heathrow drone no-fly zone is a Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) that prohibits all drone flights within a 5km radius of the airport, plus 1km extensions along each runway centreline. This zone was established under Article 94A of the Air Navigation Order 2018 following the Gatwick drone incident. Flying a drone inside this zone without CAA permission is a criminal offence.
How big is the Heathrow FRZ?
The Heathrow FRZ covers a 5km radius from the airport centre, with additional 1km extensions along the extended centreline of each runway. The total area is approximately 100 square kilometres, covering parts of Hounslow, Southall, Hayes, Slough, and the southern edge of Richmond Park. The zone extends vertically from ground level to 2,000 feet AGL.
Can I fly a drone near Heathrow Airport?
No, you cannot fly a drone near Heathrow Airport unless you have obtained explicit permission from the CAA. The FRZ applies to all drones, regardless of weight, including sub-250g models. For recreational pilots, permission is almost never granted, so you must travel outside the 5km boundary to fly legally.
What happened with the Gatwick drone incident?
In December 2018, repeated drone sightings near Gatwick Airport caused a 36-hour shutdown of all flights, affecting 140,000 passengers and costing an estimated £50 million. This incident directly led to the introduction of FRZ laws under the Air Navigation Order 2018, which now apply to Heathrow and all major UK airports. The incident remains the most significant drone-related disruption in UK aviation history.
Is Richmond Park inside Heathrow’s no-fly zone?
Only the southern edge of Richmond Park, near Roehampton Gate and the Isabella Plantation, falls inside the Heathrow FRZ. The northern two-thirds of the park are outside the FRZ but remain subject to Royal Parks byelaws that prohibit drone flying. Even in the areas outside the FRZ, you cannot fly a drone in Richmond Park without permission from the Royal Parks, which is rarely granted.
How do I get permission to fly near Heathrow?
To get permission to fly near Heathrow, you must apply through the CAA’s online portal, providing detailed flight plans, risk assessments, and proof of competency. Processing times are at least 28 days. Permission is only granted for essential operations such as emergency services, infrastructure surveys, or authorised commercial work. Recreational flights are virtually never approved.
Last updated: July 04, 2026
- UK Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
- Air Navigation Order 2018, Article 94A
- NATS Drone Safety Map (nats.aero)
- Drone Assist app (dronesafe.uk)
Drone Allowed
DroneAllowed editor covering drone regulations, aviation law, and aerial photography across USA, UK, Canada & Australia.