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Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill has
first reading in Parliament
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the bill will grant police new powers to tackle misuse
of unmanned aircraft such as drones
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the bill will also give the Transport Secretary new
powers to modernise airspace, reducing noise and emissions, and
improving passenger services
The government has introduced the Air Traffic Management and
Unmanned Aircraft Bill to modernise airspace and tackle
illegal use of unmanned aircraft.
The bill will grant the Transport Secretary new powers to ensure
that airports modernise their airspace, and fine those that don’t
implement changes quickly enough.
The bill will also hand police powers to tackle the unlawful use
of unmanned aircraft. This includes giving police the ability to
require a person to land an unmanned aircraft, issue fixed
penalty notices for certain offences and introduce new stop and
search powers where particular offences involving an unmanned
aircraft have been committed.
, Transport Secretary, said:
Modernising the use of airspace will allow us to generate
lower CO2emissions
from aviation, reduce noise for those near flight-paths and
improve punctuality for passengers.
Drones have great potential to transform how we move people and
goods, and could help save lives in search and rescue missions.
This new bill will help us ensure that drone technology is used
safely.
The legislation is a key part of the government’s approach to
drones, which will ensure individuals, businesses and emergency
services in the UK can continue to harness the
economic and social benefits of drones, while cracking down on
misuse and disruption.
The proposals will also award more power to the Transport
Secretary, to boost aviation infrastructure, helping to deliver
quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys.
