The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal International Air Tattoo, Royal Air Force Fairford) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
The regulations formally revoked the specific air navigation flight restriction previously applied over RAF Fairford related to the cancelled 2026 Royal International Air Tattoo, effective 4th June 2026.
These statutory instruments formally revoke the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal International Air Tattoo, Royal Air Force Fairford) Regulations 2026, effective from June 4th, 2026.
The Secretary of State has determined that the flying restriction previously imposed around the Royal Air Force Fairford area for the Royal International Air Tattoo 2026 is no longer required because the air tattoo event is cancelled, allowing airspace use to return to normal operations.
Arguments For
The revocation ensures that normal, lawful flying operations can resume over and around RAF Fairford immediately following the cessation of the planned air show activities.
It removes unnecessary legal restrictions on airspace use, streamlining air traffic management for civil and military aviation in the area.
The action aligns with the Secretary of State's determination that the original necessity for the restriction no longer exists, promoting efficient governance.
Arguments Against
If the cancellation of the event was recent, stakeholders who rely on predictable airspace classifications might face short-notice adjustments to their flight plans.
The revocation might prompt temporary confusion if ancillary safety protocols related to the original restriction were still partially in place until the formal change was widely disseminated.
S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 574
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal International Air Tattoo, Royal Air Force Fairford) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
This identifies the document as a Statutory Instrument from 2026, designated number 574, pertaining to the legal area of Civil Aviation.
It names the regulation as the one revoking previous flying restrictions established for the Royal International Air Tattoo at Royal Air Force Fairford.
Made
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1st June 2026
Coming into force
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4th June 2026
The instrument was officially made by the relevant authority on June 1st, 2026.
It specifies that the revocation officially comes into legal effect three days later, on June 4th, 2026.
The Secretary of State has decided that it is no longer considered necessary in the public interest to restrict flying in the area specified in the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal International Air Tattoo, Royal Air Force Fairford) Regulations 2026( a ).
The responsible Secretary of State has concluded that maintaining the airspace restriction around RAF Fairford, which was put in place for the Royal International Air Tattoo, is no longer required for the public interest.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( b ).
The authority to create these revocation regulations stems directly from the powers granted under Article 239 of the primary piece of legislation, the Air Navigation Order 2016.
1. Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal International Air Tattoo, Royal Air Force Fairford) (Revocation) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 4th June 2026.
This section provides the official short title for these legal instruments and reiterates that they become legally active on June 4th, 2026.
2. Revocation of Regulations
- The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal International Air Tattoo, Royal Air Force Fairford) Regulations 2026 are revoked.
This is the operative clause, stating explicitly that the previous regulations establishing the flight restriction pertaining to the 2026 event at RAF Fairford are now formally cancelled.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
1st June 2026
This confirms the instrument was formally signed under the authority of the Secretary of State responsible for Transport on June 1st, 2026.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations revoke the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal International Air Tattoo, Royal Air Force Fairford) Regulations 2026 as those Regulations are no longer considered necessary because the intended Royal International Air Tattoo 2026 is no longer taking place.
The explanatory note clarifies that the purpose of the revocation is due to the cancellation of the intended Royal International Air Tattoo 2026 event, rendering the prior flight restrictions unnecessary.
The note confirms this explanation is not legally part of the regulations themselves.
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