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07 July, 2023

Large swathes of air space over London to close during U.S. President Biden's visit.

 




The UK's Civil Aviation Authority is issuing notices to pilots warning them not to fly under 3,500 feet over large swathes of the skies over London during a state visit by the U.S. President.

As part of an overarching security operation, the Secretary of State for Transport has ordered the change in flying regulations to keep the skies safe and free of traffic at lower altitudes.  

The majority of restrictions apply to the air space over London Stansted, central London and a corridor between London and Windsor. 

Between 1900 and 2300 on 09 July and 1200 and 1600 on 10 July no aircraft is to fly under 3,500 feet in a wide area over Stansted (area A on the map).

During the same time, an air corridor between Stansted and Central London will be restricted air space under 2,500 feet. (area B on the map) 

A wider area of sky over Central London will be restricted under 2,500 feet between 1900 on 9 July and 1600 July. (area C on the map)

A corridor between London and Windsor between 0900 and 1600 on 10 July will also be out of bounds to all aircraft under 2,500 feet. (area D on the map)

These restrictions do not apply to certain official aircraft, including police, coastguard, air ambulance and The Kings flight helicopters.  There are also exceptions for planes that are approaching or taking off from the key London airports, as long as they are being controlled by air traffic controllers or the RAF. 

However,  the restrictions do apply to all other types of aircraft, including unmanned aircraft (drones) balloons, kites, parachutes or parascending parachutes or paramotors. 

The full briefing sheets have been issued in the normal way by the CAA and NATS and is available on their website