Drones banned in airport airspace

Law No. 89 of 2026, concerning the regulation of the use of unmanned aircraft, light sport aircraft, air sports, and related activities, was published in the official gazette, "Al-Kuwait Al-Youm." Its articles stipulate the following:

Chapter One: General Provisions

Article (1): For the purposes of applying the provisions of this Law, the following terms and expressions shall bear the meanings specified opposite each:

The Competent Minister: The Minister responsible for civil aviation.

The Authority: The General Authority of Civil Aviation.

Aircraft: Unmanned aircraft or light sport aircraft.

Unmanned Aircraft: An aircraft or flight system operated without a pilot on board, including all elements, equipment, and systems associated with its operation and control, whether operated or directed remotely via wireless waves or other communication means and electronic technologies, or operated autonomously according to software or automated operating systems, in accordance with the classifications, controls, and standards approved in the field of civil aviation.

Light Sport Aircraft: An aircraft or flight system not exceeding 600 kg in weight, or 650 kg for amphibious aircraft, in which the pilot uses an engine, sail, or wing for flight, for purposes of recreation, entertainment, or commercial use.

Air Sports: The act of flying or soaring using a machine, wing, parachute, or balloon for the purpose of enjoyment, competition, or aerial display.

Airport: A designated area on land or water, including buildings and structures dedicated wholly or partly to the use of aircraft during takeoff, landing, or movement.

Aircraft Operator: A natural or legal person licensed to operate the aircraft.

Aircraft Commander: The person responsible for controlling the aircraft from the beginning to the end of the flight period.

Registration: An administrative procedure whereby the aircraft is registered with the Authority, and the aircraft must have a unique registration identifier displayed prominently, along with proof of its data, ownership, and operation.

Airworthiness Certificate: A certificate confirming compliance with airworthiness requirements in accordance with the regulations approved by the State of Registration.

Prohibited Zone: An airspace with defined dimensions, over the state's terrestrial areas and territorial waters, in which the flight of the aircraft is prohibited.

Restricted Zone: An airspace with defined dimensions, over the state's terrestrial areas and territorial waters, in which the flight of the aircraft is restricted according to specific and defined conditions.

Airport Vicinity: The area adjacent to airports, including aviation easements as determined by the Authority in accordance with Article 20 of the aforementioned Civil Aviation Law, relating to aerial easements.

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): A process performed by the unmanned aircraft system operating crew to maintain direct visual contact with the aircraft systems to manage its flight and responsibilities for separation and collision avoidance.

Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS): A process performed by the unmanned aircraft system operating crew to maintain indirect visual contact with the aircraft systems using the aircraft's screen to manage its flight and responsibilities for separation and collision avoidance.

Operational Activities: All matters related to the use and operation of the aircraft, including takeoff, control, landing, and associated activities.

Operations Manual: A manual containing the procedures, instructions, and directives that aircraft operation staff must follow.

Article (2): This Law aims to regulate the use of unmanned aircraft, light sport aircraft, air sports, and related activities within the State of Kuwait, to maintain the security and safety of the airspace.

Chapter Two: The General Authority of Civil Aviation

Article (3): The Authority shall be responsible for supervising the application of the provisions of this Law. To this end, it shall:

- Take the necessary measures and precautions for the security and safety of operational activities.

- Monitor and inspect licensees and permit holders to verify their compliance with their obligations.

- Issue the necessary guides to implement the provisions of this Law.

- Define and regulate activities specific to unmanned aircraft, light sport aircraft, and air sports, including design, manufacturing, assembly, modification, inspection, maintenance, development of simulation systems, training, qualification, and infrastructure development, among others, after coordinating with the relevant government entities in this regard.

Article (4): The Authority shall classify types of aircraft and determine the qualification requirements that must be met by their operators.

Article (5): The Authority shall determine the altitude limits for flight for each type of aircraft.

Article (6): The Authority shall, in coordination with the relevant government entities, establish the measures to be taken when using aircraft.

Article (7): The Authority shall establish standard rules regarding aircraft noise.

Article (8): The Authority shall approve the Operations Manual submitted by the aircraft operator for operation.

Chapter Three: Registration, Licenses, and Permits

First: Registration

Article (9): The Authority shall establish a register recording all information regarding the aircraft and any rights attached to it.

The aircraft owner must register the aircraft with the Authority and obtain an Airworthiness Certificate before using it within the State of Kuwait. The Authority shall determine the specifications of aircraft that must be registered for use within the State of Kuwait. The Executive Regulations of this Law shall determine the conditions, procedures, and fees for registration, as well as cases of deregistration.

The owner must notify the Authority of any changes to the recorded information within a maximum of seven working days from the date of change, as determined by the Executive Regulations of this Law.

Second: Licenses

Article (10): No aircraft may be operated within the State of Kuwait without obtaining an operating license. It is prohibited for any person to pilot such aircraft or assist in piloting it before obtaining a license to do so.

The Authority shall issue the aforementioned licenses in accordance with Kuwaiti aviation safety rules and regulations, after obtaining the approval of the Ministry of Interior.

The Executive Regulations of this Law shall determine the conditions, procedures, and fees for issuing and renewing the aforementioned licenses.

Article (11): No activity related to air sports may be conducted without obtaining a license from the Authority.

The Executive Regulations of this Law shall determine the conditions, procedures, and fees for issuing and renewing the aforementioned license.

Third: Permits

Article (12): No aircraft may be imported, manufactured, assembled, programmed, or its systems, parts, or components handled without obtaining a permit from the Authority and the approval of the Ministry of Interior.

Furthermore, no natural or legal person may engage in any commercial activity related to the import, export, manufacturing, assembly, sale, leasing, or programming of unmanned aircraft, light sport aircraft, their systems, parts, or associated equipment, or engage in any commercial activity related to air sports and associated activities, without obtaining a commercial license from the Ministry of Commerce, the approval of the Ministry of Interior, and a permit from the Authority.

The Executive Regulations of this Law shall determine the conditions, procedures, and fees for issuing and renewing the aforementioned permits.

Article (13): Government entities may, after obtaining the required licenses and permits from the Authority, use unmanned aircraft or light sport aircraft for:

- Relief and emergency operations, or other medical services.

- Scientific and research activities.

- Government activities and services specified in the Executive Regulations of this Law.

The Ministry of Defense is exempt from obtaining the necessary licenses and permits for the use of unmanned aircraft, provided it notifies the Authority of operations or activities that do not fall within the scope of military or security secrecy.

Article (14): Applications for any of the licenses or permits mentioned in this Law, or their renewal, shall be submitted on forms issued by decision of the Authority.

The aforementioned application or renewal shall be decided upon within a period not exceeding ninety days from the date of completion of all required data, documents, conditions, and procedures; otherwise, the application shall be deemed rejected.

Article (15): The licenses and permits issued under the provisions of this Law shall include, in particular:

- Data of the licensee or permit holder.

- The subject matter of the issued license or permit.

- The duration of the license or permit.

- The insurance paid.

- The measures to be observed.

- The obligations of the licensee or permit holder.

- Any data specified in the Executive Regulations of this Law.

Chapter Four: Obligations, Prohibitions, and Measures

First: Obligations

Article (16): The licensee or permit holder under the provisions of this Law must comply with the terms of the issued license or permit, and Kuwaiti aviation safety rules and regulations.

Article (17): Unmanned aircraft must bear marks indicating identity and registration, and light sport aircraft must bear marks indicating identity, registration, and the state flag, as determined by the Authority.

Article (18): The operator of unmanned aircraft and light sport aircraft must:

1. Ensure that their staff are sufficiently aware of their responsibilities, are in good health, not suffering from fatigue, and not under the influence of alcoholic substances, narcotics, or psychotropic substances.

2. Comply with landing orders issued by the relevant authorities of the Authority while flying over the territory of the State of Kuwait.

3. Adhere to flight altitude limits.

4. Comply with standard rules regarding aircraft noise.

The operator and commander of light sport aircraft must also ensure that at least one pilot is present in the flight area to support the aircraft commander.

Article (19): The commander of an unmanned aircraft is responsible for:

1. Ensuring that the aircraft is within Visual Line of Sight or Extended Visual Line of Sight, according to the operating mode specified in the license.

2. Safe piloting and avoiding collision with persons, private property, and other manned or unmanned aircraft.

The commander of a light sport aircraft is responsible for:

1. Ensuring that every flight is conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Operations Manual approved by the Authority and the laws in force in the State of Kuwait.

2. Ensuring that all instruments, equipment, navigation devices for flight safety, and safety tools are available, adequately maintained, and airworthy in all phases of the flight under normal, abnormal, and emergency conditions.

3. Safe piloting and avoiding collision with persons, private property, and other manned or unmanned aircraft.

Article (20): The operator of an unmanned aircraft is responsible for:

1. Ensuring that every flight is conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Operations Manual approved by the Authority and the laws in force in the State of Kuwait.

2. Ensuring that all instruments and equipment required for operational safety, and safety tools, are available, adequately maintained, and airworthy in all phases of the flight under normal and emergency conditions.

Article (21): In case of loss of control of the aircraft, or an accident involving it, both the operator and the commander must immediately notify the Authority by any appropriate means.

Article (22): Manufacturers, importers, and operators must comply with the technical standards and restrictions determined by the General Authority of Communications and Information Technology in this regard, to ensure no interference with frequencies allocated for air navigation or other communication networks.

The wireless frequencies used in the aircraft's operation and control systems must be within the ranges allocated and permitted by the General Authority of Communications and Information Technology.

Second: Prohibitions

Article (23): The use of aircraft is prohibited before obtaining approval from the Ministry of Interior.

Article (24): The licensee or permit holder may not assign the license or permit issued to them under the provisions of this Law without the approval of the Authority, and in accordance with the provisions of the Executive Regulations of this Law.

Article (25): Flying aircraft within the vicinity of airports or aircraft takeoff or landing sites is prohibited. A decision from the Authority shall determine this vicinity.

Flying aircraft over prohibited or restricted zones, as determined by the Authority in coordination with the relevant state entities, is also prohibited.

If the aircraft enters the aforementioned vicinity, its operator and commander must comply with the orders issued to them by the relevant authorities of the Authority.

Article (26): Night flight using aircraft between sunset and sunrise, and in bad or unsuitable weather conditions according to the report issued by the Meteorological Department, is prohibited, unless a special permit is obtained from the Authority.

Article (27): The number of passengers in each light sport aircraft must not exceed the number specified in the aircraft's registration certificate.

Article (28): Taking any photograph or recording any video of persons, private property, or public facilities specified in the Executive Regulations of this Law using the aircraft is prohibited before meeting the conditions prescribed in these Regulations.

Third: Measures

Article (29): The Authority may, on its own initiative or upon request from the Ministry of Interior, suspend the licenses or permits granted under the provisions of this Law for a specified period not exceeding ninety days, or cancel them, in the following cases:

- If the public interest, necessity, or security considerations so require.

- If the licensee or permit holder loses one of the conditions of the license or permit.

- If the licensee or permit holder violates any provision of this Law, its Executive Regulations, or the implementing decisions.

- If the licensee or permit holder violates any provision of the issued license or permit.

The Executive Regulations of this Law shall determine the procedures for suspending, halting, or canceling the license or permit, their durations, and the mechanism for appealing them.

Article (30): The relevant authorities of the Authority may, in coordination with security and military entities and to the extent necessary to avert danger and protect the security and safety of the airspace, take all necessary technical and operational measures, including the use of electronic jamming means, disabling remote control systems, taking control of the aircraft, or intercepting it, in case of non-compliance or failure to respond to orders issued by those authorities.

Article (31): Security and military entities may take all necessary technical and operational measures to detect, intercept, disable, control, or shoot down any aircraft flying over prohibited or restricted zones, or in the vicinity of military and security facilities and sites, if it poses a threat to the security of the state or the safety of individuals and property. No legal or civil liability shall attach to those entities or their members for any damage that may be inflicted on the aircraft or its systems as a result of exercising these powers.

Chapter Five: Penalties

Article (32): Without prejudice to any heavier penalty stipulated in any other law, the offenses stipulated in the following articles shall be punished with the penalties prescribed therein.

The Public Prosecution shall have exclusive jurisdiction to investigate, handle, and prosecute all offenses stipulated in this Law.

Article (33): Any person who violates the provisions of Articles 9 (second and third paragraphs), 16, 17, 21, 24, and 26 of this Law shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and a fine of not less than (300 KD) (three hundred dinars) and not more than (700 KD) (seven hundred dinars), or with one of these two penalties.

Article (34): Any person who violates the provisions of Articles (10, 18, 19, 20, 23, 28) of this Law shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years and a fine of not less than (1000 KD) (one thousand dinars) and not more than (2000 KD) (two thousand dinars), or with one of these two penalties.

Article (35): Any person who violates the provisions of Articles (11, 12, 25, 27) of this Law shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years and a fine of not less than (3000 KD) (three thousand dinars) and not more than (5000 KD) (five thousand dinars), or with one of these two penalties.

Article (36): If the accused has been finally convicted of one of the offenses stipulated in this Law, and it is proven that they committed any of those offenses within five years from the date of the aforementioned judgment, the court may impose a penalty exceeding the maximum limit prescribed by law, provided that it does not exceed this limit by more than half. The penalty shall be doubled if an accident occurs as a result of committing any act in violation of the provisions of this Law.

Article (37): In addition to the penalty prescribed for the offense, the court may, upon conviction, impose one or more of the following penalties as appropriate:

- Cancellation or suspension of the license or permit for a period not exceeding one year.

- Closure of the facility for a period not exceeding one year.

- Confiscation of the unmanned aircraft and seized items obtained from the crime or used in it, or that could have been used in it, without prejudice to the rights of third parties.

Article (38): Without prejudice to the personal criminal liability of the perpetrator, the legal representative of a private legal person shall be punished with the same financial penalties prescribed for acts committed in violation of the provisions of this Law, if it is proven that their negligence in their duties contributed to the commission of the crime with knowledge thereof. The private legal person shall be liable for any financial penalties or compensation ordered if the crime was committed for its account, in its name, or for its benefit.

Article (39): The penalties prescribed in this Law shall not preclude the right of the victim to claim compensation for any violation of the provisions of this Law.

Chapter Six: Final Provisions

Article (40): Employees of the Authority designated by decision of the Competent Minister shall have the status of judicial police officers in proving offenses committed in violation of the provisions of this Law, its Executive Regulations, and implementing decisions. To this end, they may enter all places where such offenses occur, request relevant data, inspect licenses, permits, and other documents, and obtain copies thereof. They may also seek the assistance of police force members if necessary.

Article (41): The Authority may offer or accept settlement from any person who has committed one of the offenses stipulated in this Law, whether before the initiation of criminal proceedings or at any stage thereof until a final judgment is issued, in exchange for paying a financial amount not less than the minimum prescribed fine and not exceeding its maximum. In case of settlement, the criminal proceedings shall be extinguished if initiated, provided that it is not proven that the intent behind committing any of the offenses stipulated in this Law was to harm the security and interests of the state.

The Executive Regulations of this Law shall determine the rules and procedures for settlement.

Article (42): The owner of each aircraft must regularize their status in accordance with the provisions of this Law, its Executive Regulations, and implementing decisions, within one year from the date of entry into force of this Law.

Article (43): The Competent Minister shall issue the Executive Regulations of this Law after coordinating with the relevant entities by a deadline of 2026/12/31. These Regulations shall determine the coordination procedures between the Authority and the competent entities regarding the implementation of the provisions of this Law.

Article (44): The Prime Minister and the Ministers, each within their respective purview, shall implement this Law, which shall enter into force from the date of its publication in the official gazette.

Explanatory Memorandum to the Law Regulating the Use of Unmanned Aircraft

The State of Kuwait has witnessed a notable expansion in the use of unmanned aircraft, light sport