General Qatar Drone Laws
Drone use is allowed in Qatar, but there are several drone laws that need to be followed when flying in the country. Operators must ensure that they follow the following drone laws when flying in Qatar,
- You must first apply for and obtain a permit from the Qatar aviation authority prior to flying your drone
- If you are ONLY transiting at Doha Airport (DOH), you do not need a permit to carry your drone. For example, if you are flying from London – Singapore on Qatar Airways with a short layover you do not need a permit for your drone as long as you do not leave the airport
- Do not fly your drone over people or crowds of people
- Respect other peoples privacy when flying your drone
- Do not fly your drone near military installations, power plants, or any other area that could cause concern among local authorities
- Do not fly your drone above 400 feet (122 meters)
- Do not fly your drone near airports or in areas where aircraft are operating
- You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions
Terms & Conditions:
| – Minimum age allowed to operate is 18 Years old. |
| – Letter of Authorisation showing the type of activity conducted by the company. |
| – Companies must provide all the necessary documentations and must be Qatari Registered. |
| – Maximum Five 5 UA (Drone’s) per entity is allowed. |
| – It is forbidden to modify or attach anything to the UA (Drone). |
| – Insurance policy must be provided before operating UA (Drone). |
Permit Needed For Recreational Drone Use?
A permit is required for recreational drone use in Qatar. Click here to receive information on how to obtain a permit, or contact the local aviation authority. (What Is Recreational Drone Use?)
Permit Needed For Commercial Drone Use?
A permit is required for commercial drone use in Qatar. Click here to receive information on how to obtain a permit, or contact the local aviation authority. (What Is Commercial Drone Use?)
Bringing Your Drone On Airplanes Guide
For a detailed guide to bringing your drone on airplanes click here. All drones should be brought on carry on luggage if possible. This is because according to the Montreal Convention, airlines are only liable for losses up to ~$1,000 USD. When traveling internationally, theft and lost luggage can be common issues, particularly if your flight has many connections. If your drone is worth more than $1,000 USD and you cannot bring it onto the plane you should consider shipping it with DHL, Fedex, or UPS instead and fully insure the shipment.
You should NOT place drone batteries in your checked baggage. All drone batteries should be placed in a Medium Size Lipo Battery Bag” data-src=”//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=uavsystemsint-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B007V9MN44″ alt=”” width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ /> like the one shown here in the link and brought onto the plane in your carry on bag. Lithium-ion batteries are considered “dangerous goods” by airlines and rules surrounding these batteries on planes are EXTREMELY strict due to multiple incidents of these batteries catching fire. Failure to properly pack lithium-ion batteries in a bag such as the one shown in the link above can result in the airline seizing them, you getting fined, or being denied boarding.
Here is some video footage shot by Aref Al-Ammari when flying a drone in Qatar.
