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

Published: Fri 2nd Oct 26

Established a temporary restricted airspace around Windsor for a state visit on 20 October 2026.

These Regulations prohibit aircraft from flying below 2,500 feet above mean sea level in a specified area around Windsor on 20 October 2026.

The restrictions apply between 06:00 and 23:00 UTC to accommodate security for a state visit.

The rules apply to all civilian aircraft except those under the direction of specific air traffic control units for London Heathrow, London City, or RAF Northolt, and designated emergency or royal flights.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that these restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to security arrangements for a state visit to the United Kingdom.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the measures are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The document defines specific geographical coordinates and altitudes to ensure a clear and enforceable security perimeter.

Arguments Against

General aviation pilots and commercial operators may face disruption due to the withdrawal of all non-standard and enhanced non-standard flight clearances within the zone.
The closure of Helicopter Routes H10 and H3 may impact transit through the London Control Zone for non-exempt flights.
Complexity may arise from the interaction between these new rules and pre-existing permanent flight restrictions at Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Windsor) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 20th October 2026.

This section provides the official name of the regulations and specifies that they become legally effective on 20 October 2026.

Interpretation

In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).

This section clarifies that all times mentioned in the operational part of the document are in Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).

UTC is one hour behind British Summer Time.

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (4), during the period beginning with 0600 hours and ending with 2300 hours on 20th October 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 2,500 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by-

(a) straight lines joining successively the following points-
(i) 513611N 0004133W, and
(ii) 513611N 0003338W,
(b) the anti-clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles centred at 513518N 0003047W between 513611N 0003338W and 513320N 0003017W,
(c) straight lines joining successively the following points-
(i) 513320N 0003017W,
(ii) 513156N 0003111W,
(iii) 513007N 0003013W,
(iv) 512124N 0003001W, and
(v) 512211N 0003107W,
(d) the anti-clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles centred at 512053N 0003331W between 512211N 0003107W and 512208N 0003602W,
(e) straight lines joining successively the following points-
(i) 512208N 0003602W,
(ii) 512017N 0003822W, and
(iii) 512103N 0004236W,
(f) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 12 nautical miles centred at 512812N 0002713W between 512103N 0004236W and 512802N 0004624W,
(g) the anti-clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles centred at 513002N 0004629W between 512802N 0004624W and 513156N 0004527W, and
(h) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 12 nautical miles centred at 512812N 0002713W between 513156N 0004527W and 513611N 0004133W.

(2) All non-standard flight and enhanced non-standard flight clearances( a ) contained within the area specified in paragraph (1) are withdrawn for the duration of these Regulations.

(3) Helicopter Routes H10 and H3( b ) contained within the area specified in paragraph (1) are not available for the duration of these Regulations.

(4) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft-

(a) insofar as flying is already prohibited by the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Windsor Castle) (Restricted Area EG R156) Regulations 2021( c ) and the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Windsor Great Park) (Restricted Area EG R161) Regulations 2025( d ),
(b) making an approach to or departure from-
(i) London City Airport whilst under the direction of either London Terminal Control Centre, Swanwick or the air traffic control unit at London City Airport,
(ii) London Heathrow Airport whilst under the direction of either London Terminal Control Centre, Swanwick or the air traffic control unit at London Heathrow Airport, or
(iii) Royal Air Force Northolt whilst under the direction of either the London Terminal Control Centre, Swanwick or the air traffic control unit at Royal Air Force Northolt, or
(c) being operated by or on behalf of-
(i) a Police Air Support Unit,
(ii) an Emergency Medical Service,
(iii) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency,
(iv) the King's Helicopter Flight, or
(v) a member of the Royal Family, or
(d) operating with a permission issued by the Thames Valley Police Service.

This section defines the geographical boundaries and altitude limits of the restricted airspace, prohibiting flight below 2,500 feet within the specified coordinates.

It also cancels existing special flight clearances and closes two specific helicopter routes (H10 and H3) for the duration of the state visit.

Several categories of aircraft are exempt, including those flying to or from major London airports under air traffic control, emergency services, the King's Helicopter Flight, and flights authorized by the Thames Valley Police.

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