The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Wychnor) (Emergency) Regulations 2026

Published: Fri 7th Aug 26

Established an emergency no-fly zone below 2,300 feet around Wychnor starting 6 August 2026.


These Regulations prohibit all aircraft from flying below 2,300 feet above mean sea level within a specified circular area centered on Wychnor, Staffordshire. The restriction applies immediately to all civil and private aviation, with the exception of aircraft operating under the instructions of Staffordshire Police. The Secretary of State for Transport issued this order under the Air Navigation Order 2016 to address an unspecified emergency in the interest of public safety.

Arguments For

  • The Secretary of State asserts that these restrictions are necessary for reasons affecting the public interest due to an emergency situated in the Wychnor area.

  • The document states that the measures are intended to be temporary and will be revoked once the emergency has concluded.

  • Proponents of such measures argue that restricting non-essential flights facilitates emergency response operations and prevents interference with ground-based activities.

Arguments Against

  • Legal commentators have noted that emergency air restrictions can be issued with immediate effect, providing limited opportunity for affected private or commercial pilots to plan alternatives.

  • Civil aviation interests may raise concerns regarding the impact on local flight paths if the duration of the 'temporary' emergency is not defined by a specific expiry date in the instrument.

  • The document does not specify the nature of the emergency, which some may argue limits public understanding of the necessity and scope of the exclusion zone.

Citation and commencement

  1. These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Wychnor) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.

Restricted airspace

  1. No aircraft is to fly below 2,300 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.

  2. These Regulations do not apply to any aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by Staffordshire Police.

SCHEDULE

Regulation 2

Table 1

| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |----------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Wychnor | 1 nautical miles | 524425N 0014326W |

Related

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

Fri 4th Sept 26

Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in two areas of Middlesbrough on 4 September 2026 for public safety and security.

Read More

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 (Commencement No. 3 and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026

Fri 4th Sept 26

Activated multiple provisions of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 concerning anti-social behaviour, SIM farms, police conduct lists, and extradition procedures.

Read More

The Employment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 5 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Fri 4th Sept 26

Extended the time limit for bringing employment tribunal claims from three months to six months, effective from 1 October 2026.

Read More

Correction to Merchant Shipping Port State Control Fees

Thu 3rd Sept 26

Corrected a drafting error in the fee-related schedule of the 2026 maritime regulations.

Read More