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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. 434
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Portrush, Northern
Ireland) Regulations 2026
Made - - - - 20th April 2026
Coming into force - - 6th May 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 of a large number of persons
in connection with the North West 200 Motorcycle Race.
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) (Portrush,
Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 6th May 2026.
Interpretation
2. In regulation 3(2) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time(b).
Restricted airspace
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the periods specified in paragraph (2) no aircraft is to
fly below 3,300 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining
successively the following points—
(a) 551210N, 0063902W,
(b) 551159N, 0063845W,
(c) 551039N, 0063854W,
(d) 550901N, 0063926W,
(e) 550900N, 0064047W,
(f) 550916N, 0064058W,
(g) 551014N, 0064144W,
(h) 551049N, 0064244W,
(i) 551113N, 0064335W,
(a) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
(b) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).(j) 551136N, 0064256W,
(k) 551154N, 0064155W,
(l) 551206N, 0064049W,
(m) 551209N, 0063954W, and
(n) 551210N, 0063902W.
(2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1) begin with—
(a) 0700 hours and end with 1400 hours on 6th May 2026, and
(b) 0700 hours and end with 2000 hours on 7th and 9th May 2026.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft—
(a) flying with the permission of—
(i) the Police Service of Northern Ireland, or
(ii) Cutting Edge Helicopters Ltd, or
(b) operated by or on behalf of—
(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
Karen L Michaels
Grade 7
20th April 2026 Department for Transport
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on flying in the vicinity of Portrush, Northern Ireland where
a large gathering of persons is expected to attend the North West 200 Motorcycle Racing events
that are due to take place there on 6th, 7th and 9th May 2026.
At the request of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Civil Aviation Authority and the
Department for Transport agree that the flying of aircraft should be restricted in the vicinity of the
events for reasons of public safety.
The times mentioned in regulation 3(2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour
behind British Summer Time (BST).
In relation to the permissions mentioned in regulation 3(3)(a), the Police Service of Northern
Ireland and Cutting Edge Helicopters Ltd may be contacted as notified.
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 0330 1382471.
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