Restricted aerial activities over parts of S’pore due to NDP

SINGAPORE — Over several days in the next three months, activities such as kite-flying and operating of drones will be barred in areas around the Marina Bay floating platform, stretching to Bukit Merah, Toa Payoh and East Coast Park.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced this yesterday, noting that low-level aircraft will be flying in these areas during rehearsals for preview shows and actual performances for the National Day Parade.

The restrictions on aerial activities, extending from ground level to 600 feet above mean sea level, is to ensure the safety of these aircraft — which will perform a flypast on Aug 9 — and of the public, said CAAS.

Activities that are prohibited include kite-flying, hoisting of captive balloons and flying of unmanned aircraft, such as drones. These objects cannot be flown within or stray into the zone, unless authorised by the CAAS.

The dates for the restrictions are:

June 6, 13, 20 (8am to 1pm)

June 24 (5.30pm to 8.30pm)

July 2, 8, 15, 22, 29 (5.30pm to 8.30pm)

Aug 9 (5.30pm to 8.30pm)

Evening slots on four other days — July 9, 23, and 30, as well as Aug 12) have also been reserved, in the event of poor weather conditions on the allotted days.

Personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces will be deployed to conduct enforcement.

Carrying out aerial activities without authorisation within and into the temporary Restricted Area is an offence under the Air Navigation Order. If convicted, a first-offender can be fined up to S$20,000. For repeat offenders, the punishment can go up to a S$40,000 fine and/or jail up to 15 months.

This year’s National Day Parade will be held at the Marina Bay floating platform. Because of the smaller seating capacity at the venue, an extra preview show will be held to allow more Singaporeans to watch the show live.

Including the two preview shows on July 22 and 29, three national education shows, and the actual day’s performance, about 150,000 Singaporeans will be able to watch the NDP live.

The parade will bring back traditional crowd favourites such as the aerial display and Red Lions parachutists. Both were missing from last year’s show because of venue restrictions at the National Stadium.