The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Helicopter Flight) (No. 6) (Revocation) Regulations 2026

Transport

Published: Fri 24th Jul 26

Revoked previous regulations that restricted helicopter flights in a specified area.

This instrument removes temporary restrictions previously imposed on helicopter flights in a specified area of UK airspace.

By revoking the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Helicopter Flight) (No. 6) Regulations 2026, it restores standard flight permissions for all aircraft operators previously affected by those rules.

The Department for Transport issued this order under the authority of the Secretary of State, effective immediately from 11:30 a.m. on 23 July 2026.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that maintaining the flight restrictions in the specified area is no longer necessary in the public interest.
The document cites article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 as the legal basis for exercising the power to revoke previous airspace regulations.

Arguments Against

Aviation stakeholders might note that the rapid introduction and revocation of temporary restrictions within a short timeframe (SI 2026/860 to SI 2026/870) can create navigation planning challenges for pilots.
Legal observers may point out that the document does not specify the geographical coordinates or the original reason for the restriction, relying instead on a reference to the revoked instrument.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Helicopter Flight) (No. 6) (Revocation) Regulations 2026 and they come into force with immediate effect.

This section establishes the official name of the regulations.

It mandates that the rules take legal effect immediately upon being made at 11:30 a.m. on 23 July 2026.

Revocation of Regulations

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Helicopter Flight) (No. 6) Regulations 2026 are revoked.

This provision cancels the legal force of Statutory Instrument 2026/860.

By revoking that instrument, it removes the specific flight prohibitions or requirements that were previously applied to helicopter operations in the designated region.

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