CAAM & Regulations
Drone no fly zone regulations in Malaysia define where you cannot legally operate, and since late 2024, CAAM has significantly stepped up enforcement across popular locations and commercial operating areas. Flying in a restricted zone without authorisation is a federal offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1969, carrying fines of up to RM50,000 for individuals. This guide covers every restricted zone category, how to check the official CAAM map before every flight, what NOTAMs are and why they matter, and what the 2026 enforcement landscape looks like.
Key takeaways
- Drone no fly zone restrictions in Malaysia fall into permanent zones (airports, government areas, military installations) and temporary zones (NOTAMs for events, VIP movements, emergencies).
- The official reference is the CAAM DroneZone app and the eAIP Malaysia, not DJI GEO Zone, which may not reflect all Malaysian restrictions.
- CAAM increased enforcement activity since late 2024, and random checks in Langkawi, Batu Caves, and major urban areas are now common.
- Commercial operators within or near restricted zones must apply for a CAAM ATF and relevant agency approvals. Operating without these carries penalties of up to RM50,000.
The two types of drone no fly zones
Understanding the difference between permanent and temporary restrictions prevents both accidental violations and wasted permit preparation effort.
Permanent restricted zones
Permanent drone no fly zone designations don’t change without a formal regulatory update. These include the following.
Airport and aerodrome traffic zones: a 4.5 nautical mile (approximately 8.3 km) exclusion zone surrounds every airport, airfield, and heliport in Malaysia. Flying within this zone without Air Traffic Control clearance is prohibited. This covers KLIA and klia2, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang), Penang International Airport, Senai International Airport, Langkawi International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and all other certified aerodromes nationwide.
KLCC and the Petronas Twin Towers area: the Kuala Lumpur City Centre precinct, including KLCC Park and the surrounding financial district, is a designated sensitive airspace zone. Operating a drone here without specific CAAM authorisation and relevant authority approval is prohibited. Central KL’s dense urban airspace also makes this one of the most complex areas for permit-based commercial operations in Malaysia.
Putrajaya Federal Government Precinct: Putrajaya carries the highest sensitivity classification outside of airport zones. All drone operations here require a CAAM ATF plus written approval from PDRM and the Chief Government Security Office (CGSO). As a result, total permit preparation time for Putrajaya operations runs a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks.
Istana Negara and royal residences: all royal palaces and residences are designated restricted zones. Operating near these locations without CGSO clearance is a serious regulatory violation under MCAR 2016 and applicable royal household security legislation.
Military installations: air force bases, army camps, naval facilities, and declared defence zones are all restricted. Radar installations, signals intelligence facilities, and defence research areas carry their own restricted zones, typically visible in the eAIP Malaysia as Restricted (R) or Danger (D) airspace designations.
Other sensitive government facilities: police stations, prisons, courts, and government offices not open to the public are treated as restricted zones. Parliament House and the Prime Minister’s complex in Putrajaya additionally require CGSO approval.
Temporary restricted zones: NOTAMs
NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) are temporary drone no fly zone designations issued by CAAM or Air Traffic Management for time-limited events and conditions. Common triggers include:
- National Day and major public events (parade routes, stadium events)
- VIP movements and state visits
- Active emergency operations (floods, SAR operations, fire incidents)
- Air show airspace reservations (LIMA, KLIA events)
- Temporary security events around sensitive venues
NOTAMs are time-specific: they activate and expire at defined dates and times. A location with no permanent restriction today may have an active NOTAM tomorrow. So always check for active NOTAMs before every commercial flight, even at familiar locations.
How to check: the official tools
CAAM DroneZone app
The primary official tool for checking drone no fly zone status in Malaysia is the CAAM DroneZone app. Download it from the App Store or Google Play and verify the zones for your planned operation before every flight. The app provides interactive map overlays showing controlled airspace, restricted zones, and aerodrome traffic zones across Malaysia.
One important note: the CAAM DroneZone app is the legal reference, not third-party apps. DJI GEO Zone maps are useful for initial orientation but may not reflect the full scope of Malaysian restrictions or recent NOTAM updates. Always cross-reference with CAAM DroneZone before any commercial operation.
eAIP Malaysia
The electronic Aeronautical Information Publication (eAIP) Malaysia is the formal regulatory document that defines all airspace classifications, restricted areas, and aerodrome traffic zones. Access it at CAAM’s official website. The eAIP uses the ICAO airspace classification system (Class A through G), with drone rules applying most directly to Class G airspace and the boundaries of Class C and D controlled airspace around major airports.
NOTAM check process
Before any commercial deployment, access the NOTAM system through CAAM’s eAIS portal. Check for active NOTAMs covering your planned operating area and dates. For commercial operations, CAAM typically references relevant active NOTAMs in the ATF approval letter, but confirming before flight is your responsibility, not CAAM’s.
2026 enforcement update
CAAM significantly increased enforcement activity in late 2024, and that pattern has continued into 2026. Here are the specific changes operators need to know about.
Random compliance checks: CAAM enforcement officers now conduct random checks at popular drone locations, including Langkawi beaches, Batu Caves, Cameron Highlands, and the KLCC vicinity. Officers request RCoC-B certificates, ATF documentation, and insurance certificates on-site. Operators who can’t produce these documents face immediate enforcement action.
Increased commercial compliance focus: commercial operators without valid ATFs or with expired RCoC-B certificates face fines under MCAR 2016 Regulation 143. The RM50,000 maximum individual fine and RM100,000 corporate fine are increasingly enforced rather than treated as theoretical maximums.
Stricter ATF processing: while the official ATF processing time remains 14 working days, many commercial operators in 2026 report actual processing times of 3 to 4 weeks for complex applications. Plan accordingly and submit well before the minimum 14-day window.
Penalties
Flying in a designated restricted zone without authorisation carries serious consequences under MCAR 2016 and the Civil Aviation Act 1969.
| Violation | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| Flying in restricted zone (individual) | Fine up to RM50,000 and/or 3 years imprisonment |
| Flying in restricted zone (company) | Fine up to RM100,000 |
| Flying without CAAM permit or ATF | Fine up to RM50,000 |
| Endangering aircraft or persons | Additional criminal liability under Civil Aviation Act |
| Drone confiscation | Applicable in active enforcement situations |
These penalties apply regardless of whether the operator knew about the restriction. Ignorance of a drone no fly zone designation is not a legal defence under MCAR 2016.
East Malaysia: additional requirements
Drone operations in Sarawak and Sabah carry state-level requirements on top of federal CAAM permits.
Sarawak: all drone operations in Sarawak require additional authorisation from the Office of the Premier of Sarawak, separate from and in addition to the CAAM ATF. Apply to the Premier’s Office through their official channels with a copy of your CAAM ATF application.
Sabah: operations in Sabah near sensitive locations, including Kota Kinabalu International Airport, defence installations, and border areas, may require additional Sabah state authority coordination. Contact CAAM’s Sabah regional office for project-specific guidance.
FAQ
Where can I check drone no fly zones in Malaysia officially?
The official tool is the CAAM DroneZone app, available on iOS and Android. For formal regulatory reference, access the eAIP Malaysia through CAAM’s official website at caam.gov.my. DJI GEO Zone maps are a useful supplement but are not the official legal reference for Malaysian airspace, so always verify with CAAM DroneZone.
What is the no fly zone distance around Malaysian airports?
The exclusion zone around all Malaysian airports and aerodromes is 4.5 nautical miles (approximately 8.3 km). Flying within this radius requires Air Traffic Control clearance in addition to a CAAM ATF. The zone applies to all certified aerodromes, not just international airports. Check CAAM DroneZone for the precise boundary of each aerodrome traffic zone before planning operations near any airport.
Can I fly a drone near the Petronas Twin Towers in KL?
Not without specific CAAM authorisation and relevant authority approvals. The KLCC precinct is a designated sensitive airspace zone. Commercial operators with a genuine project requirement can apply for a CAAM ATF covering the specific operation, though approval is not guaranteed and requires additional coordination with the relevant security authorities.
What is a NOTAM and how does it affect my drone operation?
A NOTAM is a temporary airspace restriction issued by CAAM for a specific location, date range, and time period. NOTAMs activate for events, VIP movements, emergency operations, and other time-limited situations. A location that’s clear to fly today may have an active NOTAM tomorrow. Always check for active NOTAMs on the CAAM eAIS portal before every commercial deployment, even at locations you’ve operated before.
Conclusion
Drone no fly zone regulations in Malaysia are precise, regularly enforced, and carry serious consequences for violations. The 2026 enforcement landscape, with increased random checks and stricter ATF scrutiny, makes pre-flight zone verification more important than ever.
The process is straightforward: check CAAM DroneZone before every flight, verify for active NOTAMs, apply for ATF and any required agency approvals well in advance, and carry all documentation during operations.
LangiTech Aerial manages full CAAM compliance, including airspace verification, ATF applications, and agency coordination, for every commercial operation we conduct across Malaysia.
For complete ATF permit guidance, read our ATF permit Malaysia drone guide. For a full compliance overview, read our CAAM drone regulations Malaysia guide.
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