By Daily Mail Reporter
Published: 00:53 GMT, 20 February 2019 | Updated: 00:53 GMT, 20 February 2019
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Hundreds of thousands of people living near airports are to be banned from flying drones at home, ministers will announce today.
Alongside plans for new 'stop and search' powers to tackle pilots of rogue drones and model aircraft, the current 1km (0.6 miles) 'no fly zone' around runways will be extended to 5km – just over three miles.
The limit, which air traffic controllers insist is needed to prevent collisions with passenger jets, will be introduced on March 13. Those who ignore it will face up to five years in jail.
Alongside plans for new 'stop and search' powers to tackle pilots of rogue drones and model aircraft, the current 1km (0.6 miles) 'no fly zone' around runways will be extended to 5km – just over three miles (stock image)
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling will say: 'The law is clear that flying a drone near an airport is a serious criminal act.
'We're now going even further and extending the no-fly zone to help keep our airports secure and our skies safe.
'We are also working to raise awareness of the rules in place.
