These Regulations, enacted by the Secretary of State for Transport, establish temporary flight restrictions over and around the Old Warden Aerodrome in Buckinghamshire to ensure public safety during scheduled flying displays occurring on specified dates between May and October 2026; the restrictions define specific geographical areas and altitude limits below 3,500 feet AGL, while exempting authorized display aircraft and emergency services.
Arguments For
The primary benefit is public safety, as the restrictions mitigate risks associated with high-energy maneuvers performed by display aircraft during scheduled flying events.
The specific delineation of restricted airspace (including altitude bands and precise geographical coordinates) ensures that the protective bubble is narrowly focused only where necessary during the stated display periods.
The Regulations provide necessary legal authority, exercised under the Air Navigation Order 2016, to manage airspace effectively for special events.
Exemptions are clearly defined for essential services (Police, Emergency Medical, Coastguard) and display coordination staff, ensuring operational continuity for emergency responders.
Arguments Against
Restrictions impose limitations on general air navigation and potentially disrupt the normal flight paths or operations of non-display aircraft operating in or near the defined geographical area.
The precise specification of dates and times means that non-participating pilots must continually check official notifications (AIC/NOTAM) to avoid inadvertent breach of restricted airspace.
The reliance on Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which differs from local British Summer Time, could potentially cause timing confusion for some operators during the event periods.
Restricting airspace for recreational or private flying events may be viewed as an overreach of regulatory power if the level of risk assessment is perceived as disproportionate to the potential hazard.
2026 No. 364
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Old Warden) Regulations 2026
| Made - - - | 25th March 2026 | |---------------------|-------------------| | Coming into force - | 10th May 2026 |
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict flying in the area specified in regulation 3(1) by reason of the intended holding of flying displays that are scheduled to take place there.
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 introductory part identifies the instrument as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Old Warden) Regulations 2026, numbered 2026 No. 364.
The instrument was formally made on March 25, 2026, and becomes legally effective on May 10, 2026.
The Secretary of State determined that restricting air navigation in the specified area is required for the public interest due to planned flying displays happening there.
These Regulations are created under the authority granted by Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Old Warden) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 10th May 2026.
This section establishes the short title for the legal instrument, which is the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Old Warden) Regulations 2026.
Compliance with these rules officially begins on May 10, 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(2) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This section provides a definition for terms used specifically within Regulation 3, paragraph (2).
All time references used when defining the operational periods for the restrictions must be interpreted as Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the periods specified in paragraph (2) no aircraft is to fly-
- (a) below 3,500 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by-
- (i) a straight line joining 520803N 0002037W and 520709N 0001949W,
- (ii) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles centred at 520512N 0001907W between 520709N 0001949W and 520650N 0001715W,
- (iii) a straight line joining 520650N 0001715W and 520729N 0001558W,
- (iv) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 3 nautical miles centred at 520512N 0001907W between 520729N 0001558W and 520347N 0002324W,
- (v) a straight line joining 520347N 0002324W and 520541N 0002557W,
- (vi) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 1 nautical mile centred at 520625N 0002451W between 520541N 0002557W and 520724N 0002508W, and
- (vii) a straight line joining 520724N 0002508W and 520803N 0002037W.
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
- (b) between 1,300 and 3,500 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by-
- (i) a straight line joining 520709N 0001949W and 520803N 0002037W,
- (ii) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 3 nautical miles centred at 520512N 0001907W between 520803N 0002037W and 520729N 0001558W,
- (iii) a straight line joining 520729N 0001558W and 520650N 0001715W, and
- (iv) the anti-clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles centred at 520512N 0001907W between 520650N 0001715W and 520709N 0001949W.
(2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1) begin with-
- (a) 1230 hours and end with 1800 hours on 10th May 2026,
- (b) 1230 hours and end with 2000 hours on 30th May 2026,
- (c) 1230 hours and end with 2030 hours on 27th and 28th June 2026, and 25 July 2026,
- (d) 1715 hours and end with 1945 hours on 15th August 2026,
- (e) 1230 hours and end with 1930 hours on 29th August 2026, and
- (f) 1230 hours and end with 1730 hours on 4th October 2026.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft-
- (a) flying with the permission of -
- (i) the Old Warden flying display director, or
- (ii) the Old Warden Aerodrome Flight Information Service, or
- (b) operated by or on behalf of-
- (i) a Police Air Support Unit,
- (ii) an Emergency Medical Service, or
- (iii) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
This key section establishes the flight restrictions, which are subject to exceptions listed in paragraph (3).
Paragraph (1)(a) forbids any aircraft from flying below 3,500 feet above mean sea level within a complex, precisely defined geographical zone near Old Warden, using latitude/longitude coordinates and arcs of circles defined by specific radii and centers.
Paragraph (1)(b) imposes a restriction between 1,300 feet and 3,500 feet above mean sea level within a second, related area, which is also defined by straight lines and circular arcs.
Paragraph (2) stipulates the exact UTC dates and times when these flight prohibitions are active throughout the display season, spanning from May 10th to October 4th, 2026, with various ending times.
Paragraph (3) grants exemptions to the primary restriction for aircraft that have permission from either the Old Warden flying display director or the Aerodrome Flight Information Service. It also exempts aircraft operated by emergency service providers, including Police Air Support, Emergency Medical Services, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
25th March 2026
This confirms the date the instrument was signed and that the authority to sign resides with the Secretary of State for Transport.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on flying in the vicinity of Old Warden Aerodrome, Buckinghamshire during flying displays for the general public that are due to take place there on 10th and 30th May, 27th and 28th June, 25th July, 15th and 29th August, and 4th October 2026.
Many aircraft will be involved in high energy manoeuvres during the displays and therefore the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that flying should be restricted in the vicinity of the events for reasons of public safety.
The times mentioned in regulation 3(2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 3(3)(a)(i), the Old Warden Aerodrome flying display director may be contacted as notified.
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 3(3)(a)(ii), the Old Warden Aerodrome Flight Information Service may be contacted as notified.
Full details of this statutory instrument will be promulgated by Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) and Notice to Aviation (NOTAM).
Karen L Michaels Grade 7 Department for Transport
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr David Ridley, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382471.
This non-statutory note clarifies the purpose of the Regulations: imposing flight bans near Old Warden Aerodrome due to planned public flying displays on specific dates throughout 2026.
The justification for these restrictions is public safety, stemming from the high-energy maneuvers anticipated during these displays, with agreement from both the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport.
It reiterates that the specified times are UTC, which is one hour earlier than BST, and identifies the specific bodies (Display Director and FISO) that can grant permission for flight within the restricted zone.
It informs the reader that full operational details will be communicated through standard aviation publications (AIC and NOTAMs) and provides agency contact details for clarification.
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