Airspace restrictions

Restricted Airspace is a type of ‘Special Use Airspace’ (SUA) and is defined in CAA policy document ‘SARG Policy 133: Policy for the Establishment and Operation of Special Use Airspace’. Restricted Airspace is established under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 (as amended). The ANO gives the Secretary of State for the Department of Transport the power to make regulations to introduce either permanent or temporary restriction of flying regulations. When the Secretary of State deems it necessary in the public interest, an airspace restriction can be established under at least one of the following principles:

• the intended gathering or movement of a large number of persons;
• the intended holding of an aircraft race or contest or of a flying display; or
• national defence or any other reason affecting the public interest.

What do Restricted Airspace structures do?

An RA, either temporary or permanent, allows a distinct rules set to be applied within it. It is not an airspace structure that defines the provision of air traffic service, it will however, stipulate who is its SUA Authority and who can enter the structure. The background airspace classification remains the same and as such any pilot entering the RA with permission must adhere to SERA and immediately comply with instructions given by radio by the appropriate air traffic control unit or by, or on behalf of, the person responsible for safety within the relevant airspace. Another structure, such as a temporary ATZ maybe established concurrently with an RA to define an area where there is a provision of an ATS if needed, for the operation. The regulations established under a Statutory Instrument makes it legally binding to the extent that it is a statutory offence to contravene the rules.

Permanent RAs

Information about permanent RA’s can be found in the NATS Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), section ENR 5.1. There is also further information about permanent UAS-only restriction zones on the NATS UAS Restriction Zone web page.

Temporary RAs

Temporary restricted airspace is known as a Restricted Area (Temporary), abbreviated to RA(T).  These restrictions are notified by a NOTAM (Notice to Aviation). These NOTAMs are expanded by an Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) containing further details and are published on the NATS AIP Supplements/AICs/Briefing Sheets page. Where there has been a short notice request for a RA(T), further details may be published by a Briefing Sheet, instead of an AIC. On some occasions neither an AIC nor Briefing Sheet may be published however every establishment of a RA(T) will always be promulgated by NOTAM; an example of this might be an emergency restriction.

Applying for Restricted Airspace

All RA’s, both permanent and temporary must have a designated SUA Authority, which is an individual within an organisation who is responsible for ensuring that appropriate processes and procedures exist to ensure the safe and efficient management and operation of the SUA.

Permanent

Any request to permanently change the notified airspace design would need to follow the CAP1616 and CAP1616j airspace change process. For further information about Airspace change see the ACP Portal here: About Airspace Change

Temporary

Sponsors wishing to submit a request for a temporary airspace restriction must submit a form through the ACOMS portal. Applications must be submitted a minimum of 90 days in advance of the start of a restriction. Applications with less than 90 days’ notice are considered short-notice and will only be processed in exceptional circumstances. Sponsors are required to provide a rationale as to why an application has been submitted late.

In accordance with the CAA’s Scheme of Charges, an initial assessment fee is due at the point of submission. Once assessed by an airspace regulator, if an application is approved, a processing fee is due (if an application is not approved, the initial assessment is non-refundable). Once an application is approved and subsequently processed, there are further charges for any amendments or withdrawal of the application. The allocated regulator will remain in contact with the sponsor at all stages through the process. Further information and the charges can be found in the CAA’s Scheme of Charges: Aerodrome and Air Traffic Management Regulation. These charges are reviewed annually.

Once information about a RA(T) is published, the SUA Authority is expected to be contactable on the published contact details. Whilst a RA(T) is active the SUA Authority must safely manage and proactively monitor the airspace, responding to infringements appropriately and subsequently report any infringements to the CAA.

In the case of being refused access to Restricted Airspace, an FCS 1522 UK Airspace Access or Refusal of ATS Report may be submitted: FCS 1522.

Emergency Restrictions of Flying (ERF)

Requests for an Emergency Restriction of Flying can only be made by an approved Emergency Controlling Authority. Details of the ERF process are shared directly with the relevant authorities. Notifications of emergency airspace restrictions are promulgated via NOTAM.

Note that it is already illegal for UAS to overfly an ongoing emergency response effort without the permission to do so from the responsible emergency service. This is detailed in The Drone Code and UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 – UAS.OPEN.060 AND UAS.SPEC.060

Applying for an exemption to fly in Restricted Airspace

Flying in a Permanent RA:

Details of how to apply for access to permanent restrictions can be found in the UK AIP, section ENR 5.1 or in the accompanying NOTAMs. If directed to apply to the CAA via the ACOMS portal, select ‘Access to Restricted Areas (Exemption)’ in the activity category. Some restrictions only apply to certain types of aircraft, so prior to submitting a request please check the UK AIP, section ENR 5.1 for details of the relevant area.

Applications to the CAA must be submitted with a minimum of 28 days’ notice. During periods of high demand we may be unable to process requests with less than 28 days’ notice.

Flying in a Temporary RA:

To obtain permission to fly inside a RA(T), airspace users should use the contact details published in the associated AIC/Briefing Sheet or NOTAM.

Where RAs are established within controlled airspace or on top of existing RAs or FRZs, permission to fly in one of the areas does not constitute a permission within any other RA or FRZ. Permissions or clearances for each airspace or area must be sought individually.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact the Airspace Regulation Ops Team. AR Ops operate between the hours of 0830 hours and 1630 hours Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays). Any applications/messages submitted after 1600 hours may not be processed until the following working day.