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S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 190
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Cheltenham)
Regulations 2026
Made - - - - 27th February 2026
Coming into force - - 10th March 2026
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict flying in the
area specified in regulation 3(1) by reason of the intended gathering there of a large number of
persons at the Cheltenham Festival 2026.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by
article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016(a).
Citation and commencement
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Cheltenham)
Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 10th March 2026.
Interpretation
2. In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time(b).
Restricted airspace
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), between 1015 hours and 2000 hours on each of the four days
beginning on 10th March 2026 and ending on 13th March 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 3,000
feet above mean sea level within the area bounded successively by—
(a) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 3 nautical miles centred on 515533N
0020316W from 515515N 0020805W to 515331N 0020649W, and
(b) the anti-clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles centred on 515339N
0021002W from 515331N 0020649W to 515515N 0020805W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft—
(a) making an approach to or departure from Runway 04/22 or Runway 09/27 at
Gloucestershire Airport whilst under the direction of the air traffic control unit at that
airport,
(b) flying under the direction of the air traffic control unit at Cheltenham Heliport, or
(c) operated by or on behalf of—
(a) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none are relevant.
(b) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the same as Greenwich Mean Time(GMT).(i) a Police Air Support Unit,
(ii) an Emergency Medical Service, or
(iii) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Joe Thompson
Senior Executive Officer
27th February 2026 Department for Transport
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on flying in the vicinity of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire due
to the intended holding there of the Cheltenham Festival from 10th March 2026 to 13th March
2026 (inclusive).
In view of the significant number of helicopters expected to operate from the temporary heliport at
Cheltenham racecourse, as well as the large numbers of people expected to attend the festival, the
Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that flying should be restricted in
the vicinity of the event for reasons of public safety.
The times mentioned in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is the same
time as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Full details of this Statutory Instrument will be promulgated by Briefing Sheet and Notice to
Aviation (NOTAM).
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr David Ridley, Airspace Regulator,
Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382471.
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