site.btaParliament Bans Drone Flights Over Airports and Certain No-fly Zones

Parliament banned the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) without authorization in specially designated geographical zones, as well as within the secured perimeters of public-use airports, by passing conclusively amendments to the Civil Aviation Act on Thursday.

In the event of a violation, the drone will to be forcibly landed or removed. Any damages resulting from the forced landing or removal of the UAV shall be borne by the violator, the legislation states.

The conditions and procedures for the forced landing of drones and the implementation of enforcement measures for their removal will be determined by a regulation of the Council of Ministers, based on proposals from the Ministers of Defence, Transport and Communications, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and the Chairman of the State Agency for National Security.

The restrictions do not apply to activities carried out in the public interest by state authorities responsible for: security and defence, national security, crime prevention and public order, fire safety and emergency response (fires, disasters, emergencies) and emergency medical services

The Council of Ministers also defines the zones within the airspace where aviation can be restricted or prohibited — except for controlled airspace structures regarding temporarily segregated areas, reserved zones, restricted zones, danger areas, and ad-hoc tactical danger zones, as voted by Parliament.

Additionally, MPs prohibited the unauthorized transmission in radio frequency bands used for civil aviation and/or the creation of electromagnetic interference affecting the systems and equipment used for communication, navigation, and surveillance in civil aviation.

The oversight functions of the General Directorate Civil Aviation Administration will be carried out by aviation inspectors appointed by order of the Director General of the Directorate, according to a vote by the National Assembly. These inspectors will also have the authority to order drug testing for psychoactive substances of individuals involved in ensuring civil aviation safety. Fines are foreseen in cases of refusal to undergo such testing.

During aircraft operation, servicing, passenger handling, and air traffic and navigation services, individuals performing these activities will be prohibited from being under the influence of psychoactive substances.

Airport operators and air carriers will be required to implement cybersecurity measures as defined in the National Security Program, according to the newly adopted amendments. Ground operators must develop, implement, and maintain a security program, approved by the Director General of the Civil Aviation Administration, under the law.

The chairman of the parliamentary transport Committee, Kiril Dobrev (BSP – United Left), commented that the changes will prepare the country legislatively for the construction of a drone defence system, by establishing clear rules on no-fly zones for UAVs, and procedures for responding to violations.

A coordination framework between institutions using drones in the public interest is also being established.

There are also provisions against signal interference, Dobrev noted. "These steps don’t involve buying equipment, but create the necessary tools and rules for the state to act quickly and in a coordinated manner. Without this, we cannot comply with EU requirements for maintaining order," he stressed.

Nikola Dimitrov from Vazrazhdane said that some of the changes, which introduce EU regulations, would lead to increased air ticket prices. The reason, he explained, is that airlines will be obliged to use expensive biofuels with special additives, and if they don’t, they will have to pay fines.

Vazrazhdane also expressed concern that the process may be aiming to privatize air traffic control, currently a state function.

Regarding the drug testing, Dimitrov noted that the current tests used in Bulgaria are problematic, since appealing a positive result can take months. He called for the state to invest in new laboratories to ensure proper and timely appeal procedures.