No-Fly Zones in Singapore: Complete Airspace Map for Drone Pilots
Singapore's airspace is compact and heavily utilised by both manned and unmanned aircraft. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) maintains strict boundaries around airports, military installations, government facilities, and event venues where UA operations are prohibited or heavily restricted. Before every flight — even at locations previously flown — operators must verify current restrictions through OneMap, as Temporary Restricted Areas (TRAs) can be declared with short notice for events, emergencies, or security operations.
Aerodrome Vicinity: 5km Buffer Zones
No drone may be operated within 5 kilometres of any airport or military airbase without explicit CAAS permit approval and coordination with air traffic control. Given Singapore's geography, these 5km buffers cover substantial portions of the island:
| Aerodrome | Location | Coverage Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Changi Airport | Eastern coast | Restricts all of Changi, Tampines, Bedok, Pasir Ris eastern portions |
| Seletar Airport | Northeast | Covers Seletar, Yishun, parts of Ang Mo Kio, Punggol |
| Paya Lebar Air Base | Central-east | Affects Eunos, Hougang, Serangoon, Kovan areas |
| Tengah Air Base | Western | Restricts Jurong West, Choa Chu Kang, parts of Bukit Batok |
| Sembawang Air Base | Northern coast | Covers Sembawang, Woodlands waterfront, Admiralty |
Paya Lebar Air Base is scheduled for relocation by the mid-2030s. Until that transition is complete, the 5km restriction around its current location remains fully active. Do not assume reduced enforcement based on future plans.
Protected Areas
Certain sensitive locations are gazetted as Protected Areas under Singapore law. Flying a drone into, over, or within the vicinity of these locations without a Police permit (under Sections 32 and 33 of the Air Navigation Act) is a serious offence carrying penalties up to S$50,000 or 2 years imprisonment.
Examples of Protected Areas include:
- The Istana (President's official residence)
- Military camps and installations
- Key infrastructure facilities (power plants, water treatment works)
- Marina Bay (declared Protected during major events such as National Day Parade, New Year countdown)
- Government buildings during high-security periods
Protected Areas may be marked by signage on the ground. During events at Marina Bay, for example, signage has warned of S$5,000 fines for unauthorised drone flights within the Protected Area boundary.
Temporary Restricted Areas (TRAs)
For major events or emergency operations, CAAS declares Temporary Restricted Areas that ban all UA activity within a defined boundary for a specified duration. These are announced via NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) and published on OneMap.
Events that typically trigger TRAs:
- National Day Parade (August) — covers Marina Bay and surrounding airspace
- Singapore Grand Prix (F1) — Marina Bay Street Circuit area
- New Year's Eve countdown — Marina Bay Sands and waterfront
- ASEAN summits and state visits — varies by venue
- Emergency response operations (fires, SAR operations, security incidents)
Restricted and Danger Areas
Military training zones, live-firing exercise areas, and other hazardous activity zones are marked on aviation charts. These include zones around the Western islands used for military training, offshore firing ranges, and naval exercise areas. Flying a UA in any Restricted Area requires a specific Class 2 permit (recreational/educational) or Class 1 permit (commercial) explicitly authorising operations within that zone.
Designated UA Flying Areas (UAFAs)
To support recreational flying, CAAS designates specific locations where hobbyists can fly with fewer restrictions (subject to standard safety rules: below 200 feet, within line of sight, etc.):
| Location | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pandan Reservoir | 16 hectares | Most popular UAFA, open field adjacent to reservoir |
| Dover Road | 0.6 hectares | Smaller space, suitable for micro-drones and practice |
These UAFAs are located outside controlled airspace, reducing the regulatory burden on recreational operators. Standard rules still apply: maximum 200 feet altitude, visual line of sight maintained, no flights over persons.
General No-Fly Rules (Regardless of Zone)
- Never fly within 5km of any airport or military airbase without a permit
- Never fly over crowds or public events
- Keep the UA within visual line of sight at all times
- Never exceed 200 feet AMSL without relevant approvals
- Avoid flying near roads, during emergency response, or in poor weather conditions
- Never fly at night without specific permit authorisation
How to Check Restrictions Before Flight
- Open OneMap and enable the UA layer to view restricted zones, TRAs, and UAFAs
- Check CAAS NOTAMs for any Temporary Restricted Areas declared for events
- Verify Protected Area boundaries at your intended flight location
- If flying commercially, confirm your Activity Permit covers the specific location, date, and altitude
Restrictions can change between flights at the same location. A TRA declared for a weekend event may not appear until 24-48 hours before the event. Always check on the day of flight, not only during planning.
External References
Related reading: CAAS Drone Regulations | Camera Settings for Aerial Photography