The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Southway, Plymouth) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
These Regulations immediately revoke the previous emergency order that restricted flying over the Southway area of Plymouth because the Secretary of State determined the necessity for the emergency restriction no longer exists in the public interest.
Arguments For
The Regulations restore standard air navigation freedoms over the specified area in Southway, Plymouth, as the defined emergency situation has concluded.
Immediate revocation aligns with the Secretary of State's determination that continued restrictions are not necessary in the public interest, thereby minimizing unnecessary regulatory burden on aviation.
Arguments Against
The justification for the initial restriction is not detailed, meaning the potential risks that led to the original emergency measure are not explicitly re-assessed in this revocation text.
Immediate commencement means that any residual security or safety concerns related to the ended emergency might not have a grace period for final implementation or awareness by the aviation community.
2026 No. 490
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Southway, Plymouth) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
Made ----at 10.40 a.m. on 5th May 2026
Coming into force with immediate effect
This document is the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Southway, Plymouth) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026, numbered 490 of 2026, and pertains to Civil Aviation matters.
The instrument was officially made at 10:40 a.m. on May 5th, 2026, and took effect immediately upon being made.
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) (Southway, Plymouth) (Emergency) Regulations 2026( a ).
The responsible government minister, the Secretary of State, concluded that maintaining the flight restrictions over the defined area in Southway, Plymouth, is no longer required for the public good.
This decision leads directly to the cancellation of the prior emergency flying ban.
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 Secretary of State issues these revocation rules using legal authority granted under Article 239 of the primary legislation, the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Southway, Plymouth) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026 and they come into force with immediate effect.
The official short title of this legal instrument is established, and it confirms that the revocation takes effect immediately upon publication, meaning the restrictions cease instantly.
Revocation of Regulations
- The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Southway, Plymouth) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 are revoked.
This specific clause legally cancels the previous statutory instrument that had established the emergency flight restrictions over the Southway area of Plymouth.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
At 10.40 a.m. on 5th May 2026
The document is officially authorized and signed under delegation from the Secretary of State for Transport, confirming the exact time and date the revocation was formally enacted.
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.
The accompanying explanatory note clarifies that the purpose of this instrument is simply to repeal the prior rule that banned flying in a specific Plymouth zone.
This action is taken because the emergency situation that necessitated the initial ban has ended.
( a ) S.I. 2026/481.
( b ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
Karen L Michaels Grade 7 Department for Transport
References cite the original enacting instrument (S.I. 2026/481) and the primary legislation granting the powers (S.I. 2016/765, as amended).
The note concludes with contact details for the drafting official within the Department for Transport.
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