SI 2026/512 - The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Edinburgh) Regulations 2026

S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S 2026 No. 512 CIVIL AVIATION The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Edinburgh) Regulations 2026 Made - - - - 13th May 2026 Coming into force - - 27th June 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 reasons of the state opening of the Scottish Parliament and Royal Week. 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) (Edinburgh) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 27th June 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 4,500 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles which is centred at 555710N 0031020W. (2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1) begin with— (a) 0600 hours and end with 1300 hours on 27th June 2026, and (b) 0700 hours on 29th June 2026 and end with 1400 hours on 3rd July 2026. (3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft— (a) operating in accordance with a permission issued by Police Scotland Aviation Safety & Security Unit, (b) making an approach to or departure from Edinburgh Airport whilst under the direction of the air traffic control unit at that airport, or (c) operated by or on behalf of— (i) a Police Air Support Unit, (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).(ii) an Emergency Medical Service, (iii) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the purpose of Search and Rescue Operations, or (iv) the King’s Helicopter Flight. Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport Karen L Michaels Grade 7 13th May 2026 Department for Transport EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations impose restrictions on flying in the vicinity of Edinburgh during the State opening of Scottish Parliament and Royal week that are scheduled to take place there on 27th June to 3rd July 2026, inclusive. At the request of Police Scotland, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that flying should be restricted in the vicinity of these events for reasons of public safety and security. 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 permission mentioned in regulation 3(3)(a), the Police Scotland Aviation Safety & Security Unit 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 03301 382471. 2