Drone Rules for Norman Manley International Airport

Norman Manley International Airport (ICAO: MKJP) is an active international airport located on the Palisadoes peninsula in Kingston, Jamaica. The airport supports scheduled international passenger traffic, cargo operations, charter flights, military activity, emergency aviation services, and general aviation movements.

Due to the airport's unique location on a narrow coastal strip surrounded by Kingston Harbour and the Caribbean Sea, aircraft frequently operate at low altitudes during approach and departure procedures. Drone operations in surrounding communities, beaches, waterfront areas, and coastal recreation zones may unintentionally enter protected airspace.

Under Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) recreational unmanned aircraft regulations:

Unmanned aircraft shall not be operated within 16,500 feet (5,000 meters) of any aerodrome or rotorcraft-designated landing zones, such as helipads.

Additional JCAA drone operating requirements include:

• Maximum flight altitude of 400 ft (122 m) above ground level. • Maximum operating range of 500 m (1,640 ft) from the pilot. • Aircraft must remain within unaided visual line of sight (VLOS). • First Person View (FPV)-only operations are not permitted. • Operations must remain at least 500 ft (152 m) from organized open-air assemblies of people. • Operations must remain at least 165 ft (50 m) from uninvolved persons. • Flights over private or public property require prior permission. • Commercial drone operations require authorization from the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority.

Pilots should also exercise additional caution due to the airport's proximity to government facilities, security-sensitive areas, Kingston Harbour shipping corridors, and densely populated urban districts. Any drone operation within the 5 km airport protection zone should be considered prohibited unless specifically approved by the relevant aviation authorities.