Decree-law regulates drone use and air sports

- Imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of up to 5,000 dinars for violations subject to the stricter penalties

- Prohibition on using drones without approval from the Ministry of Interior and operating them without a license from the General Authority of Civil Aviation

- Security and military authorities have the right to intercept, disable, take control of, or shoot down drones if they threaten national security

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- One-year deadline for drone owners to regularize their status... Executive regulations to be issued by December 31, 2026, at the latest

Decree-Law No. 89 of 2026 concerning the regulation of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), light sport aircraft, air sports, and related activities was published in the Official Gazette "Kuwait Al-Yaum" and shall enter into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

The decree establishes a framework for regulating the use of drones, light sport aircraft, air sports, and related activities within the State of Kuwait, aiming to preserve the security and safety of the airspace. It defines the competencies of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, as well as registration procedures, licensing, permits, obligations, prohibitions, measures, and penalties. It also outlines the powers of security and military authorities in dealing with drones that pose a threat, and mandates drone owners to regularize their status within one year.

The articles of the decree-law stipulate the following:

Chapter One

General Provisions

Article (1)

In the application of the provisions of this decree-law, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings indicated alongside each:

The Competent Minister: The Minister responsible for civil aviation.

The Authority: The General Authority of Civil Aviation.

Aircraft: An unmanned aerial vehicle or a light sport aircraft.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone): 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 guided remotely via radio waves or other communication means and electronic technologies, or operated autonomously according to software or automatic 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 with a weight not exceeding 600 kg, or 650 kg for amphibious aircraft, in which the pilot uses an engine, parachute, sail, or wing for flight, for purposes of entertainment, recreation, or commercial use.

Air Sports: An activity involving flight or flying using a machine, wing, parachute, or hot air balloon for enjoyment, competition, or air display.

Airport: A defined area on land or water, including any buildings, structures, and equipment located thereon, wholly or partly used for the arrival, departure, and movement of aircraft.

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

Pilot in Command: The person responsible for controlling the aircraft from the beginning to the end of the flight period.

Registration: An administrative procedure by which the aircraft is recorded with the Authority, ensuring the aircraft has a unique registration mark displayed prominently, and verifying its data, ownership, and operation.

Airworthiness Certificate: A certificate confirming compliance with airworthiness requirements according to the systems approved by the State of registration.

Prohibited Area: An airspace of defined dimensions, above the land territory and territorial waters of the State, within which flight of the aircraft is prohibited.

Restricted Area: An airspace of defined dimensions above the land territory and territorial waters of the State, within which flight of the aircraft is restricted in accordance with specific conditions.

Airport Zone: The area adjacent to airports, which includes flight easements as determined by the Authority in accordance with Article 20 of the aforementioned Civil Aviation Law concerning air easements.

Visual Line of Sight: A procedure conducted by the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) pilot to maintain direct visual contact with the aircraft to manage its flight, separation responsibilities, and collision avoidance.

Extended Visual Line of Sight: A procedure conducted by the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) pilot to maintain indirect visual contact with the aircraft using the aircraft’s screen to manage its flight, separation responsibilities, and collision avoidance.

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

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

Article (2)

This Decree-Law aims to regulate the use of unmanned aircraft, light sport aircraft, air sports, and related activities within the State of Kuwait, in order to maintain the security and safety of the airspace.

Chapter Two

The General Authority of Civil Aviation

Article (3)

The Authority shall supervise the implementation of the provisions of this Decree-Law, and for this purpose, it shall have the following powers:

• Taking the necessary measures and precautions for the security and safety of operational activities.

• Monitoring and inspecting licensees and permit holders to verify compliance with their obligations.

• Issuing the necessary manuals to implement the provisions of this Decree-Law.

• Defining and regulating specific activities related to unmanned aircraft, light sport aircraft, and air sports, including design, manufacturing, assembly, modification, inspection, maintenance, development of simulation systems, training, qualification, infrastructure establishment, and others, after coordination with relevant government entities.

Article (4)

The Authority shall classify aircraft types and determine the qualification requirements that operators must meet.

Article (5)

The Authority shall determine altitude limits for flight for each type of aircraft.

Article (6)

The Authority, in coordination with relevant government entities, shall 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 operational use.

Chapter Three

Registration, Licenses, and Permits

First: Registration

Article (9)

The Authority shall establish a register in which all information related to the aircraft and any rights attached to it are recorded.

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 Decree-Law shall specify the conditions, procedures, fees, and cancellation cases for registration.

The owner must notify the Authority of any changes to the registered information within a maximum period of seven working days from the date of the change, as specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law.

Second: Licenses

Article (10)

No aircraft may be operated within the State of Kuwait without obtaining an operations license. It is prohibited for any person to pilot or assist in piloting such an aircraft without obtaining the required license.

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

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

Third: Permits

Article (12)

The import, manufacture, assembly, programming, or systems of an aircraft, or its parts or components, may not be undertaken without obtaining a permit from the Authority and approval from the Ministry of Interior.

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

The executive regulations of this Law Decree specify the conditions, procedures, and fees for issuing and renewing the aforementioned permits.

Article (13)

Government entities may, after obtaining the licenses and permits prescribed by the Authority, use unmanned aerial vehicles or light sport aircraft in:

• Relief and emergency operations, or any other medical services.

• Scientific and research activities.

• Government activities and services specified in the executive regulations of this Law Decree.

The Ministry of Defense is exempt from obtaining the necessary licenses and permits for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, provided that it commits to notifying 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 referred to in this Law Decree, or for their renewal, shall be submitted on forms issued by decision of the Authority.

The Authority shall rule on the aforementioned application or its renewal within a period not exceeding ninety days from the date of fulfilling all data, documents, conditions, and prescribed procedures; otherwise, the application shall be deemed rejected.

Article (15)

Licenses and permits issued in accordance with the provisions of this Law Decree shall include, in particular, the following:

• Data of the licensee or permit holder.

• Subject matter of the issued license or permit.

• Duration of the license or permit.

• Paid insurance.

• Measures to be observed.

• Obligations of the licensee or permit holder.

• Any other data specified in the executive regulations of this Law Decree.

Chapter Four

Obligations, Prohibitions, and Measures

First: Obligations

Article (16)

Licensees or permit holders, in accordance with the provisions of this Law Decree, must comply with the terms of the issued license or permit, and with Kuwaiti aviation safety rules and regulations.

Article (17)

Unmanned aerial vehicles must bear markings indicating identity and registration, and light sport aircraft must bear markings indicating identity, registration, and the national flag, as determined by the Authority.

Article (18)

Operators of unmanned aerial vehicles and light sport aircraft must:

1. Ensure that their crew members are adequately aware and conscious of their responsibilities, are in good health, are not fatigued, and are not under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or psychoactive substances.

2. Comply with landing orders issued by the competent authorities of the Authority during flight over the territory of the State of Kuwait.

3. Adhere to flight altitude limits.

4. Comply with standard rules regarding aircraft noise.

Additionally, operators and pilots of light sport aircraft must ensure the presence of at least one other pilot in the flight area to support the pilot in command.

Article (19)

The pilot in command of an unmanned aerial vehicle shall be responsible for:

1. Ensuring that the aircraft remains within visual line of sight or extended indirect visual line of sight, in accordance with the operational line specified in the license.

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

The pilot of a light sport aircraft shall be responsible for:

1. Ensuring that each flight is conducted in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Authority-approved Operations Manual and the legislation in force in the State of Kuwait.

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

3. Safe piloting and avoiding collisions with persons, property, and other manned and unmanned aircraft.

Article (20)

The unmanned aircraft operator shall be responsible for:

1. Ensuring that each flight is conducted in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Authority-approved Operations Manual and the legislation in force in the State of Kuwait.

2. Verifying that all tools and equipment required for safe operation, as well as safety tools, are available, adequately maintained, and airworthy throughout all phases of the flight under normal conditions and emergencies.

Article (21)

In the event of loss of control of the aircraft or an accident involving it, both the operator and the pilot of the aircraft 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 Public Authority for Communications and Information Technology in this regard, to ensure no interference with frequencies allocated for air navigation or other communication networks.

The radio frequencies used in the aircraft’s operation and control systems must fall within the bands allocated and permitted by the Public Authority for Communications and Information Technology.

Second: Prohibitions

Article (23)

The use of the aircraft is prohibited prior to obtaining approval from the Ministry of Interior.

Article (24)

The licensee or authorized person shall not transfer the license or permit issued to them under the provisions of this Law Decree except with the approval of the Authority and in accordance with the provisions stipulated in the Executive Regulations of this Law Decree.

Article (25)

Flying the aircraft within the vicinity of airports or aircraft takeoff and landing sites is prohibited, and the Authority shall issue a decision defining such areas.

Flying the aircraft over restricted or prohibited areas designated by the Authority in coordination with relevant state authorities is also prohibited.

If the aircraft enters the aforementioned area, its operator and pilot must comply with orders issued by the relevant authorities of the Authority.

Article (26)

Flying the aircraft at night, between sunset and sunrise, and under poor or unsuitable weather conditions as reported by the Meteorology Department, is prohibited, unless a special permit is obtained from the Authority.

Article (27)

The number of passengers in each light sport aircraft shall not exceed the number stated in the aircraft’s registration certificate.

Article (28)

Taking any photographs or recording any video clips of persons, private property, or public facilities specified in the Executive Regulations of this Law Decree using the aircraft is prohibited before fulfilling the conditions stipulated in these Regulations.

Third: Measures

Article (29)

The Authority may, either on its own initiative or upon request from the Ministry of Interior, suspend the licenses or permits granted under the provisions of this Law Decree for a specified period not exceeding ninety days, or revoke them, in the following circumstances:

If public interest, necessity, or security concerns so require.

If the license or permit holder ceases to meet any of the conditions of the license or permit.

If the license or permit holder violates any provision of this Law-Decree, its Executive Regulation, or the implementing decisions thereto.

If the license or permit holder violates any provision of the license or permit issued to him.

The Executive Regulation of this Law-Decree shall specify the procedures for suspending, temporarily halting, or revoking the license or permit, their durations, and the mechanism for appealing such decisions.

Article (30)

The authorities concerned with the Authority, in coordination with security and military bodies and to the extent necessary to avert danger and protect the security and safety of the airspace, may 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 authorities may take all necessary technical and operational measures to detect, intercept, disable, take control of, or shoot down any aircraft flying over prohibited or restricted areas, 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 authorities or their personnel as a result of any damage that may be caused to the aircraft or its systems due to the exercise of these powers.

Chapter Five

Penalties

Article (32)

Without prejudice to any harsher penalty stipulated in any other law, the crimes stipulated in the following articles shall be punished with the penalties prescribed therein.

The Public Prosecution alone, and no other authority, shall have jurisdiction to investigate, prosecute, and bring charges for all crimes stipulated in this Law-Decree.

Article (33)

Whoever violates the provisions of Articles 9 (paragraphs two and three), 16, 17, 21, 24, and 26 of this Law-Decree shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and a fine not less than 300 Kuwaiti Dinars (300 K.D.) and not exceeding 700 Kuwaiti Dinars (700 K.D.), or with one of these two penalties.

Article (34)

Whoever violates the provisions of Articles 10, 18, 19, 20, 23, and 28 of this Law-Decree shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years and a fine not less than 1,000 Kuwaiti Dinars (1,000 K.D.) and not exceeding 2,000 Kuwaiti Dinars (2,000 K.D.), or with one of these two penalties.

Article (35)

Whoever violates the provisions of Articles 11, 12, 25, and 27 of this Law-Decree shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years and a fine not less than 3,000 Kuwaiti Dinars (3,000 K.D.) and not exceeding 5,000 Kuwaiti Dinars (5,000 K.D.), or with one of these two penalties.

Article (36)

If the accused has previously been convicted of committing one of the crimes stipulated in this Law-Decree, and it is proven that he committed any of those crimes within five years from the date of the aforementioned judgment, the court may sentence him to a penalty exceeding the maximum statutory limit, provided that such excess does not exceed half of that limit. The penalty shall be doubled in the event that an accident occurs as a result of committing any act in violation of the provisions of this Law-Decree.

Article (37)

In addition to the penalty prescribed for the crime, the court may, upon conviction, impose one or more of the following penalties, as appropriate:

• Revocation 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 the seized items obtained from the crime, used in it, or which could have been used in it, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties.

Article (38)

Without prejudice to the personal criminal liability of the perpetrator, the legal representative of a private legal entity shall be subject to the same financial penalties prescribed for acts committed in violation of the provisions of this Decree-Law, if it is established that their failure to fulfill their official duties contributed to the commission of the crime, with knowledge of such failure. The private legal entity shall be liable for any financial penalties or compensation imposed if the crime was committed on its behalf, in its name, or for its benefit.

Article (39)

The penalties stipulated in this Decree-Law shall not prejudice the right of the aggrieved party to claim compensation for any violation of the provisions of this Decree-Law.

Chapter Six

Final Provisions

Article (40)

Officials of the Authority designated by a decision of the competent Minister shall have the status of judicial police officers in establishing crimes committed in violation of the provisions of this Decree-Law, its Executive Regulation, and the implementing decisions. In this capacity, they are authorized to enter all places where such crimes occur, request relevant information, inspect licenses and permits, and examine any other documents, as well as obtain copies thereof. They may also enlist the assistance of police force members if necessary.

Article (41)

The Authority may offer or accept a settlement from any person who has committed one of the crimes stipulated in this Decree-Law, either before initiating criminal proceedings or at any stage thereof until a final judgment is rendered, in exchange for the payment of an amount not less than the minimum fine prescribed and not exceeding the maximum fine. If the settlement is concluded, the criminal proceedings shall be terminated upon their initiation, provided that it is not established that the intent behind committing any of the crimes stipulated in this Decree-Law was to harm the security and interests of the State.

The Executive Regulation of this Decree-Law shall specify the rules and procedures for settlement.

Article (42)

The owner of each aircraft must regularize their status in accordance with the provisions of this Decree-Law, its Executive Regulation, and the implementing decisions, within one year from the date of entry into force of this Decree-Law.

Article (43)

The competent Minister shall issue the Executive Regulation of this Decree-Law, after coordination with relevant authorities, no later than December 31, 2026. This Regulation shall specify the coordination procedures between the Authority and the competent authorities regarding the implementation of the provisions of this Decree-Law.

Article (44)

The Prime Minister and the Ministers shall each, within their respective competencies, implement this Decree-Law, which shall enter into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette.