IAA Seeks Public Feedback on Permanent Drone Zone for Cork City
Have your say on Cork's proposed permanent drone flight zone. IAA consultation closes 14 March.
The Irish Aviation Authority has launched a public consultation on plans to establish a permanent drone operational zone over Cork City, marking a significant step in integrating unmanned aircraft into Irish airspace.
The IAA is proposing to make permanent a temporary Unmanned Aircraft System Geographical Zone that would allow Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone operations over Cork City within the airport's Control Zone. Currently, only Visual Line of Sight drone operations are permitted in the area under specific conditions set out in IAA Aeronautical Notice U 04.
The temporary zone, known as UGZ T2, is scheduled to operate from 14 February 2026 to 13 May 2026. The proposed permanent structure would maintain the same lateral boundaries, vertical limits up to 400 feet above mean sea level, and access permission processes already established for the temporary zone. Operations would be permitted daily between 08:00 and 22:00 local time.
The permanent zone would overlay portions of existing drone zones U33 and U61_A, with Cork Prison's permanently prohibited zone U45 remaining strictly off limits. All drone operators wishing to use the airspace would be required to obtain permission from AirNav Ireland Air Traffic Control at Cork Airport at least two days before their planned activity.
The consultation process runs until 17:00 on 14 March 2026. Airspace users are invited to provide feedback on the proposed boundaries, coordination procedures, emergency protocols, and potential impacts on aviation operations. The IAA says the measure is intended as an interim solution pending full implementation of U-space regulations defined under EU law.
Safety measures for the zone include geofencing, contingency corridors, ground risk buffers, and flight termination systems. Air traffic control at Cork Airport would retain authority to suspend drone operations immediately for emergency services including State Flights, HEMS, search and rescue, Coast Guard, or Garda operations.
Submissions can be made via an online form linked in the consultation document available on the IAA website.
