The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
The Secretary of State imposed immediate, temporary flying restrictions below 3,500 feet over a specified one-mile radius near Bristol due to a public interest emergency, effective May 3rd, 2026.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 enacts immediate, emergency-based restrictions on all aircraft flying below 3,500 feet above mean sea level within a one-nautical-mile radius centred on specific coordinates near Bristol, authorizing the restriction by the Secretary of State for Transport due to a matter affecting public interest, with exemptions only for aircraft operating under directions from the Avon and Somerset Police.
Arguments For
Upholding public safety and order by enabling necessary operational responses during an undefined emergency situation affecting the public interest.
Providing clear legal authority for law enforcement (Avon and Somerset Police) to manage the airspace during the critical period.
Ensuring minimal necessary intrusion into normal airspace use by limiting the restriction temporally (implied by 'emergency') and spatially (1-nautical-mile radius and 3,500 ft altitude ceiling).
Arguments Against
Potential disruption to local aviation activities, including private flights, training, or scheduled small-scale transport operating below the new altitude limit within the restricted zone.
Imposing immediate restrictions without publicly detailing the nature of the emergency, potentially causing public uncertainty or speculation.
The broad justification, 'a reason affecting the public interest,' could be challenged if the necessity of such a severe restriction is not clearly demonstrated once the emergency concludes.
S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 489
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Made ----at 9.00 a.m. on 3rd May 2026
Coming into force with immediate effect
The Secretary of State for a reason affecting the public interest deems it necessary to restrict flying in the area specified in the Schedule by reason of an emergency having arisen in that area.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).
This instrument, designated as Statutory Instrument 2026 No. 489, establishes emergency air navigation restrictions specifically for Bristol.
The Secretary of State made these regulations at 9:00 a.m. on May 3rd, 2026, and they take effect immediately.
The regulatory action is justified because an emergency, deemed to affect the public interest, has occurred in the specified area.
Authority for these rules comes from Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
The official title for citing these rules is the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) Regulations 2026.
The regulations commenced immediately upon being made.
Restricted airspace
- No aircraft is to fly below 3,500 feet above mean sea level over the area specified in Column 1 of the Schedule, being an area bounded by a circle of the radius specified in Column 2 and centred on the position specified in Column 3.
- These Regulations do not apply to any aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by Avon and Somerset Police.
Regulation 2 prohibits aircraft from operating below 3,500 feet above mean sea level within the specific geographical area detailed in the Schedule.
This restricted zone is defined by a circle with a specified radius, centred at defined latitude and longitude coordinates.
Regulation 3 provides an exception to this restriction; aircraft following instructions issued by the Avon and Somerset Police are exempt from these flying prohibitions.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
At 9.00 a.m. on 3rd May 2026
Joseph Silverman Grade 7 Department for Transport
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
The document is signed on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport at 9:00 a.m. on May 3rd, 2026, by Joseph Silverman of the Department for Transport.
A footnote confirms that the power used references the primary Air Navigation Order 2016, noting subsequent amendments.
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |----------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Bristol | 1 nautical mile | 512937N 0023154W |
Table 1 details the exact parameters of the restriction.
The specified area is generally designated as 'Bristol'.
The restricted zone forms a circle with a radius of 1 nautical mile, centred at the specific geographical coordinates 51 degrees 29 minutes 37 seconds North latitude and 2 degrees 31 minutes 54 seconds West longitude.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions of an emergency nature on flying in the area specified in the Schedule. They are intended to be of temporary duration and will be revoked as soon as the emergency in question has passed.
The accompanying Explanatory Note clarifies that this is an emergency measure restricting air traffic in the designated zone.
The intention is for these regulations to remain in force only temporarily, meaning they will be repealed once the specific emergency situation concludes.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
The Schedule references Regulation 2, meaning the definitions and parameters listed previously in the document establish the boundaries for the enforced flight restriction.
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