The UAE's aviation authority has announced that it will issue new regulations for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), better known as drones, within a few days to improve aviation safety.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said in comments published by news agency WAM that the new laws follow a comprehensive survey into the use of drones.

The move comes after air traffic in Dubai came to a standstill for nearly an hour on Friday as a result of unauthorised use of recreational drones.

Airspace over Dubai was affected for 55 minutes from 3pm on Friday.

Al Suwaidi said that the regulation will prevent the use of the country's airspace without a prior permit from the GCAA and coordination with the air traffic authorities.

The new regulations will ban the use of UAVs near airports, residential areas and public facilities and properties as well as banned places, WAM added.

Regulations will cover clubs and private users as well as the commercial and corporate use of the unmanned systems.

Al Suwaidi urged all members of the society to abide by the new regulations, avoid violations and abstain from using UAVs in wrong ways that might affect the safety and security of aviation, individuals and facilities, WAM said.