The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Ringwood, Hampshire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026

Published: Tue 11th Aug 26

Prohibited aircraft flight below 2,500 feet within a 2.5 nautical mile radius of Ringwood, Hampshire, due to an emergency.

These Regulations establish a restricted airspace zone around Ringwood, Hampshire, prohibiting aircraft from flying below 2,500 feet above mean sea level within a 2.5 nautical mile radius of a specified central coordinate.

The order applies to all aircraft, with an exception for those operating under directions from the Hampshire and IOW Police. The Secretary of State for Transport issued these rules as an emergency measure to address a public interest concern arising from a local emergency.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that a reason affecting the public interest makes these restrictions necessary due to an emergency having arisen in the Ringwood area.
The document states that the restrictions are intended to be of temporary duration to manage the immediate emergency situation.
Proponents of such emergency measures generally argue that clearing airspace facilitates the safe operation of emergency services, such as police or rescue aircraft, without interference from private or commercial flights.

Arguments Against

Legal observers may note that the instrument does not specify the exact nature of the emergency, which can lead to ambiguity regarding the necessity and proportionality of the restriction.
General aviation pilots and commercial operators may face disruption to planned flight paths within the 2.5 nautical mile radius without prior notice due to the immediate commencement.
Affected parties might question the duration of the 'temporary' measure, as the document specifies it will remain until revoked but does not provide a fixed expiration date.

Citation and commencement

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

This section provides the official name of the regulations for legal citation purposes.

It mandates that the rules become legally enforceable immediately upon their signing at 7:05 p.m. on 10th August 2026.

Restricted airspace

No aircraft is to fly below 2,500 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.
These Regulations do not apply to any aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by Hampshire and IOW Police.

This section prohibits flight below 2,500 feet within the designated area near Ringwood to ensure the airspace is clear.

It grants Hampshire and IOW Police the authority to permit specific aircraft to enter or operate within this restricted zone.

These rules apply to all pilots and aircraft operators unless they are following police instructions.

SCHEDULE

Regulation 2

Table 1

| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |---------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Ringwood, Hampshire | 2.5 nautical miles | 505210N 0014107W |

The Schedule defines the geographic boundaries of the restricted flight zone.

It specifies a circular area with a 2.5 nautical mile radius centered at the coordinates 50°52'10"N and 001°41'07"W.

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