Abu Dhabi campaign to encourage responsible drone-flying

ABU DHABI // A campaign will run on social media aimed at encouraging drone owners to be responsible when flying their devices.

The Ministry of Interior and General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said it was not trying to discourage ownership but that users have to ensure they are registered and stick to the rules.

The message ‘You are Responsible’ will run on social media.

Ismail Al Blooshi, Assistant Director General of Aviation Safety Affairs, urged owners to register their drones and obtain a permit under rules introduced in February 2016.

He said drone users who fail to comply with the laws and regulations will face legal action.

Last week, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, approved new regulations governing flying.

Drone users caught flying without a licence will face fines of up to Dh20,000 as part of renewed efforts to tackle disruption to aviation.

In addition, users cannot fly within 5km of an airport.

The move came after the closure of airspace over Dubai International Airport three times in four months last year, causing disruption and cancellations at a cost of millions of dirhams to the economy.