The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Syerston) Regulations 2026

Published: Fri 7th Aug 26

Restricted flight operations within a 4-nautical-mile radius of RAF Syerston on 20 August 2026 for public safety during air displays.


These regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace around Royal Air Force Syerston to facilitate flying displays for the Royal Air Force Air Cadet National Air and Space Camp.

The order prohibits all aircraft from flying below 8,300 feet within a four-nautical-mile radius of the base on 20 August 2026, between 09:30 and 16:30 UTC. These restrictions apply to all civil and military pilots, except those granted explicit permission by designated display directors or air traffic service personnel.

Arguments For

  • The Secretary of State asserts that restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to scheduled flying displays.

  • The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority state that high-energy manoeuvres performed during the Royal Air Force Air Cadet National Air and Space Camp necessitate these measures for public safety.

  • The regulations provide a mechanism for authorized aircraft to enter the zone via specific permission from the Flying Display Director or the Military Air Ground Communication Service.

Arguments Against

  • General aviation pilots and local airfield users may experience temporary loss of access to airspace within 4 nautical miles of the site.

  • Pilots operating in the area must ensure they use Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) rather than British Summer Time (BST) to avoid accidental incursions, as the document notes the one-hour difference.

  • Flight schools or private operators in Nottinghamshire may need to reroute planned activities, potentially increasing fuel costs or transit times.

Citation and commencement

  1. These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Syerston) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 20th August 2026.

Interpretation

  1. In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).

Restricted airspace

  1. -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0930 hours and ending with 1630 hours on 20th August 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 8,300 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 4 nautical miles which is centred at 530120N 0005500W.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft operating in accordance with a permission issued by-

  • (a) the Royal Air Force Air Cadet National Air and Space Camp Flying Display Director, or
  • (b) the Military Air Ground Communication Service at Royal Air Force Syerston.

Related

The Travellers’ Allowances (Amendment) Order 2026

Mon 7th Sept 26

Adjusted the types and quantities of alcohol that travellers can bring into Great Britain without paying excise duty.

Read More

The M5 Motorway (Junctions 1 to 3) (60 Miles Per Hour Speed Limit) Regulations 2022 (Revocation) Regulations 2026

Mon 7th Sept 26

Classified fifteen synthetic opioids and one synthetic cannabinoid as Class A controlled drugs effective 20 March 2024.

Read More

The Housing Benefit (Earned Income Disregards) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

Mon 7th Sept 26

Removed the £250,000 cap on variable monetary penalties for environmental offenses in England.

Read More

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Tenby) Regulations 2026

Mon 7th Sept 26

Restricted the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet in Tenby during a public gathering in September 2026.

Read More