Ministry of Interior & GCAA Lift UAE’s Recreational Drone Ban
Drone hobbyists in the UAE can now fly again, so long as they adhere to new regulations on the Unified National Drone Platform.
The Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other key authorities, officially announced lifting the ban on individual drone use.
Drone enthusiasts must adhere to new regulations outlined on the Unified National Drone Platform, which simplifies registration and ensures compliance with safety standards. Recreational users can only fly drones weighing 5 KG or less in designated zones, with operations restricted to daytime under clear weather conditions. Drones must remain within a 400-foot altitude limit and stay within the operator’s line of sight. Additional rules include avoiding sensitive areas such as airports and respecting privacy laws when using camera-equipped drones.
