Flying of kites and drones forbidden over some areas in coming months
SINGAPORE: Ahead of this year’s National Day Parade (NDP), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will be establishing temporary restricted areas over parts of Singapore on selected days in May, June, July and August.
The temporary restricted areas – which encompass the Padang, heartland locations and other parts of Singapore – will be established to ensure the safety of the public and the aircraft carrying out aerial activities for NDP, CAAS and the parade’s executive committee said in a news release on Thursday (May 23).
These areas will extend from ground level to 2,500 feet above mean sea level, and restrictions will be in effect during one of two time slots on several dates between May 28 and Aug 11.
“During the stated dates and times, the conduct of all aerial activities including kite-flying, hoisting of captive balloons and flying of unmanned aircraft such as drones into and within the temporary restricted areas is strictly prohibited unless the required permits have been obtained from the CAAS,” they went on to say.
Carrying out aerial and unmanned aircraft activities in the temporary restricted areas without the required permits from CAAS is an offence under the Air Navigation Order (ANO) and the Air Navigation (101 – Unmanned Aircraft Operations) Regulations 2019 (ANR-101) respectively.
Under the ANO, which covers aerial activities, first-time offenders face a fine of up to S$20,000. Second and subsequent offences are punishable by a fine of up to S$40,000, up to 15 months in prison, or both.
Under the ANR-101, which covers unmanned aircraft activities, first-time offenders face a fine of up to S$50,000, up to two years in prison, or both. Those who offend again face a fine of up to S$100,000, up to five years in prison, or both.
Other than the temporary restricted areas, “existing restrictions on the conduct of aerial and unmanned aircraft activities within 5km of aerodromes, danger areas, prohibited areas, restricted areas and protected areas remain in force”, CAAS and the parade’s executive committee added.
More information on areas where aerial activities are prohibited or require permits is available on the OneMap.sg website and the OneMap app.
This year’s NDP celebrations will feature a warfighting demonstration between the Padang and Marina Bay to commemorate 40 years of Total Defence, Singapore’s national defence concept.
Festivities will be extended to the Promontory @ Marina Bay on Aug 9, as well as to five heartland areas on Aug 10.
More details on NDP 2024 will be available at a later date.
Source: CNA/rk(kg)
