‘No-fly zones’ for drones to protect aircraft passengers

♦ Drone users who fail to register their aircraft or sit a safety exam will face fines of up to £1,000 under new rulings to improve the safety of our skies.

Ministers are also banning drones from flying above 400ft and within 1km of airport boundaries.

These restrictions will be in place from the end of July, while the online test and registration scheme is expected to come into force at the end of November next year.

The decision to tighten the regulation of unmanned aerial vehicles comes after a rise in the number of close-call incidents with aircraft and helicopters.

The new laws on registration and tests will apply to owners of drones that weigh 250g or more. The new flying limits will apply to everyone.

Drone pilots who pass the test will receive a unique acknowledgement of competence, permitting them to fly.

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