The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
These Regulations officially revoke the emergency flight restrictions that were previously imposed over a specified area in Bristol, as the Secretary of State for Transport determines that these restrictions are no longer required in the public interest following the passing of the initial emergency.
Arguments For
Ensures that temporary flight restrictions, put in place for an emergency in the Bristol area, are officially removed when no longer necessary for public interest.
Restores standard aviation regulations for the specified area, promoting normal air traffic operations and minimizing unnecessary regulatory burdens on pilots and airlines.
Demonstrates responsible use of emergency powers by terminating restrictions promptly upon resolution of the initial emergency situation.
Arguments Against
The necessity or specific circumstances of the original emergency that led to the restriction are not detailed, potentially leaving some stakeholders uninformed about the event's resolution.
Potential for public confusion if the revocation process is not widely communicated, especially if the public was informed about the initial restriction but not its removal.
There is no explicit mention of ongoing monitoring to ensure that the conditions necessitating the original restriction have definitively passed.
2026 No. 640
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
This identifies the legal instrument as Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 2026 No. 640, which falls under the regulatory domain of Civil Aviation.
The title clearly states that these regulations revoke a previous emergency order regarding flight restrictions in Bristol.
Made ---- at 12.15 p.m. on 16th June 2026
Coming into force with immediate effect
The instrument was formally made by the appropriate authority at 12:15 p.m. on June 16th, 2026.
Crucially, the regulations become legally effective immediately upon being made, ensuring an instant cessation of the previous restrictions.
The Secretary of State has decided that it is no longer considered necessary in the public interest to restrict flying in the area specified in the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026( a ).
The responsible Minister, the Secretary of State, has concluded that the conditions that justified the previous emergency flight restrictions around Bristol have ended.
Therefore, continuing the restrictions is deemed contrary to the public interest.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( b ).
The authority for creating these revocation regulations stems directly from Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016, which grants the Secretary of State the power to make such orders concerning aviation safety and restrictions.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) (Revocation) Regulations 2026 and they come into force with immediate effect.
Regulation 1 provides the official short title for this legal document.
It also reiterates that the regulations take effect immediately upon publication, matching the commencement stated earlier.
Revocation of Regulations
- The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 are revoked.
Regulation 2 is the operative clause, which formally cancels and nullifies the previous S.I. that instituted the emergency flying prohibitions in the designated Bristol area.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
At 12.15 p.m. on 16th June 2026
This confirms that the instrument was legally signed and authorized on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport at the precise time of 12:15 p.m. on the specified date.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations revoke the statutory instrument which imposed emergency restrictions on flying in the area specified in the Schedule to that instrument, the emergency in question having passed.
This note, which is administrative and not legally binding, clarifies the purpose: to cancel the previous statutory instrument that governed emergency flight limitations in Bristol because the underlying emergency situation has concluded.
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