New Bill Orders FAA to Create No-Fly Zones Over Large Concerts & Festivals Within One Year

This proposed legislation, the "Protecting Outdoor Concerts Act of 2025," directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish new rules within one year. The core requirement is for the FAA to issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) – essentially temporary no-fly zones – over outdoor concerts and music festivals expecting 30,000 or more attendees daily. The goal is to enhance safety and security for large crowds by managing the airspace above these events.

Clearing the Air: What the Bill Actually Does

Think of those massive summer festivals or stadium concerts. This bill wants the FAA to treat them like major sporting events (think Super Bowl) when it comes to air traffic. Section 2 mandates the FAA update its regulations, using the framework already in place for things like air shows (under 14 CFR § 91.145). This means issuing official Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) that define restricted airspace around qualifying events. Crucially, it also specifically calls for designating this airspace as restricted for drones, referencing existing drone restriction rules (49 U.S.C. § 44812). The FAA gets a one-year deadline from the bill's enactment to get these updated regulations in place.

From Festivals to Flight Paths: Who's Affected?

So, what does this mean in practice? For concertgoers, it could mean an added layer of safety, reducing worries about low-flying aircraft or unauthorized drones buzzing overhead during a performance. Event organizers get clearer guidelines for airspace security. However, it's a different story for pilots and drone operators. Anyone flying drones recreationally near a large festival would likely find the airspace off-limits during the event. Commercial drone operators, like those hired for aerial photography or videography, might face new hurdles or require specific waivers. Similarly, general aviation pilots might need to adjust flight plans to avoid these temporary restricted zones, potentially causing minor disruptions depending on the festival's location relative to airports and common routes. The key threshold here is that 30,000 daily attendee mark – smaller events wouldn't fall under this specific mandate.