Drones

Flying drones near airports requires a permit

Flying drones at Kristianstad Österlen Airport

Flying drones is fun and exciting – but near an active airport like Kristianstad Österlen Airport, extra attention is required to the rules that exist, and that apply to everyone operating in the area, to ensure safety in the airspace. We have gather what you need to know before you start your drone near our airport.

Rules and requirements

From 1 January 2026,  stricter rules apply to drone flying in Sweden. If your drone weighs 250 grams or more, you must have a valid drone card. “Flying without permission from air traffic control”.  – “” is this intended as a headline or does it belong to the sentence before?

When is a permit required?

To keep the airspace safe, the following principles apply, adapted to our control zone (CTR):

• Within 5 km of the airport: Permission is always required from air traffic control, regardless of the type and weight of the drone.

• 5 km from the airport but within our Control Zone (CTR): Flying without permission is only allowed up to a height of 50 meters, provided that the drone weighs no more than 7 kg and is operated at a maximum speed of 90 km/h.

• Between 50-120 meters altitude within our control zone (CTR): Permission is always required from air traffic control.

• Over 120 meters height or drones over 25 kg: Permission is always required – both from air traffic control and in some cases also from the Swedish Transport Agency.

Who is the remote pilot?

The person who controls the drone is called the remote pilot. Remote pilots must know and comply with both the laws and regulations that apply to drone flying. The rules are divided into categories depending on the risk and type of flight:

• Open category: Lowest risk, where you usually fly below 120 meters, keep the drone in sight and do not put others at risk.

• Specific category: More advanced flights that require risk assessment and special approval.

• Certified category: High-risk flights, such as over crowds – always require a permit.

Special rules apply within our CTR regardless of which category you fly under.

The right tools for safe flight

Before flying, you should always check:

• The Swedish Transport Agency’s digital drone guide for current rules.

• LFV’s drone map to see where it is allowed to fly and where restrictions are.

Contact air traffic control well in advance of the planned flight via the options below:

• E-mail: tornet@kidairport.com

• Phone: +46 (0)44 238858 (air traffic control)