The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Hampstead) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted flying zone below 2,500 feet in the Hampstead area on the evening of 5 November 2026.
These Regulations prohibit aircraft from flying below 2,500 feet above mean sea level within a specified circular area centered on Hampstead.
The restriction applies between 17:30 and 22:30 UTC on 5 November 2026.
The mandate exempts emergency service aircraft, including those for police and medical support, and allows for continued operations at London City Airport, Heathrow Airport, and RAF Northolt under air traffic control direction.
The Secretary of State issued this order under the Air Navigation Order 2016 citing public interest requirements.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that these restrictions are necessary in the public interest.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that flying should be restricted in the vicinity for public interest reasons.
The regulations provide specific exemptions for emergency services, including police air support, medical services, and the Coastguard, to ensure essential operations are not hindered.
The instrument allows for scheduled commercial and military aviation to continue safely by exempting aircraft under the direction of London City, Heathrow, and RAF Northolt air traffic control units.
Arguments Against
Pilots and airspace users may face last-minute operational challenges due to the regulations coming into force with immediate effect on the day of the event.
The restriction relies on Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which requires pilots to ensure synchronization with local time to avoid accidental incursions.
Small drone operators or recreational flyers may find the two-nautical-mile radius restrictive if they are unaware of the immediate enactment of the order.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Hampstead) Regulations 2026 and they come into force with immediate effect.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations.
It specifies that the legal requirements take effect immediately upon being made on 5 November 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time(b).
This section defines the time standard used for the flying restrictions.
It clarifies that all listed times refer to Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Restricted airspace
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), between 1730 hours and 2230 hours on 5th November 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 2,500 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles centred at 513310N 0000956W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply—
- (a) insofar as flying is already prohibited by the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Specified Area) Regulations 2005(c), the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Hyde Park) Regulations 2017(d), or the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Prisons and Young Offender Institutions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2023(e),
- (b) to any aircraft operated by or on behalf of—
- (i) a Police Air Support Unit,
- (ii) an Emergency Medical Service, or
- (iii) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, or
- (c) to any aircraft—
- (i) making an approach to or departure from London City Airport whilst under the direction of the Air Traffic Control Unit at London City Airport or the London Terminal Control Centre, Swanwick,
- (ii) making an approach to or departure from London Heathrow Airport, whilst under the direction of the Air Traffic Control Unit at London Heathrow Airport or the London Terminal Control Centre, Swanwick,
- (iii) making an approach to or departure from Royal Air Force Northolt, whilst under the direction of the Air Traffic Control Unit at Royal Air Force Northolt or the London Terminal Control Centre, Swanwick, or
- (iv) flying in accordance with the permission of the Head of the Hazardous Area Response Team of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
This section prohibits flight below 2,500 feet within a two-nautical-mile radius of a specific coordinate in Hampstead during a five-hour window on 5 November 2026.
It creates several exemptions, including for police, medical, and coastguard flights, and for aircraft managed by specific air traffic control units at major local airports.
It also defers to existing restricted airspace regulations for prisons and other specified areas in London.
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