Legazpi Airport is no-fly zone too for kites, balloons, drones

THE pre-departure area of Legazpi Airport which was declared by Civil Aviation of the Philippines (CAAP) as no-fly zone for flying objects like drones, balloons, and kites. CAAP Area V Facebook Page.

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in this city reminded the public that the area around the airport was a “no-fly” zone for kites, hot air balloons, and any flying objects controlled by remote devices.

That is because they may pose serious threat to aircrafts.

Cynthia M. Tumanut, CAAP manager for Legazpi Airport, said flying of those objects could hamper the landing and takeoff of airplanes. “CAAP records show several incidents that kites tangled in airplanes upon takeoff in Legazpi Airport. Last month, one flight student returned with a tangled kite in his aircraft,” she says.

Tumanut noted that kite flying in the aircrafts’ flight paths becomes rampant during dry season.

To avert the worst case scenario of a flying object affecting an aircraft and forcing it to land in residential areas around Legazpi Airport, the city government of Legazpi and the provincial government of Albay have enacted a ban on flying kites, hot air balloons and any flying object controlled by remote devices around the runway.

City Ordinance 2000-008 prohibits the flying of such objects within 5-km radius of the runway.

On the other hand, Provincial Ordinance 2000-13 states that flying objects that could obstruct the aircraft operation are prohibited within a 10-mile radius of the runway.

The ordinance also bars persons, vehicles or any kind of animals from entering the runway and other “designated” areas of the airport without permission from the CAAP.

Violators will be slapped with a fine of up to P5,000 or imprisonment of at least 15 days.