Prohibited airspace

2025-04-03T12:01:55Z

103.195.202.240: Correcting facts.

{{short description|Airspace within which flight of aircraft is restricted}}
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A '''prohibited airspace''' is an area (volume) of [[airspace]] within which flight of aircraft is not allowed, usually due to security concerns. It is one of many types of [[special use airspace]] designations and is depicted on [[aeronautical chart]]s with the letter "P" followed by a serial number. It differs from [[restricted airspace]] in that entry is typically forbidden at all times from all aircraft and is not subject to clearance from [[Air Traffic Control|ATC]] or the airspace's controlling body.

According to the U.S. [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA): "Restricted Areas contain airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earth within which the flight of aircraft is prohibited. Such areas are established for security or other reasons associated with the national welfare. These areas are published in the Federal Register and are depicted on aeronautical charts."

[[File:Prohibited Area P-40 Camp David.png|thumb|Part of a [[terminal area chart]], showing the prohibited/restricted airspace surrounding [[Camp David]]]]
Some prohibited airspace may be supplemented via [[NOTAM]]s. For example, Prohibited Area 40 (P-40) and Restricted Area 4009 (R4009) often have additional restricted airspace added via a NOTAM when the [[president of the United States]] visits [[Camp David]] in [[Maryland]], while normally the airspace outside of P-40 and R4009 is not prohibited/restricted.

Violating prohibited airspace established for national security purposes may result in military interception and/or the possibility of an attack upon the violating aircraft, or if this is avoided then large fines and jail time are often incurred. Aircraft violating or about to violate prohibited airspace are often warned beforehand on 121.5 MHz, the [[Aircraft emergency frequency|emergency frequency for aircraft]].

==List of prohibited airspaces==
===Australia===
* Australia currently has no prohibited airspaces.<ref>[Designated Airspace Handbook]. ''[[Airservices Australia]]''. Retrieved April 29, 2019</ref> Previously, The [[Pine Gap|Pine Gap Joint Defence Facility]] near [[Alice Springs]] was designated as a permanent no-fly zone. This airspace has since been changed to a restricted area (RA3).

=== China ===
* [[Tiananmen Square]]
* All flights in and out of [[Taiwan]] by Taiwanese air carriers (only allowed to fly over Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, [[Hong Kong]], [[Macau]]), with the exception of regular cross-strait flights.
* Also as a result of [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], new China-US regular airline routes are barred from using Russian airspaces.<ref>{{cite news |date=2023-04-29 |title=Airlines dispute adds headwinds to US-China relationship |url=https://www.ft.com/content/06a44def-5c30-4117-823e-2ca6091e0e1e |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627203838/https://www.ft.com/content/06a44def-5c30-4117-823e-2ca6091e0e1e |archive-date=2023-06-27 |accessdate=2023-12-01 |publisher=Financial Times |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cuba===
* Unscheduled foreign aircraft are prohibited from entering or encroaching Cuban airspace including disputed international water zones except when permission has been explicitly given by the Cuban Government. The Cuban military has been known to shoot down and destroy unauthorised aircraft without warning including a 1996 incident in which two U.S.-registered aircraft were [[1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue aircraft|shot down and destroyed by Cuban Air Force MiGs.]]<ref>[[Staff writer]] (February 24, 1996). [http://www.cnn.com/US/9602/cuba_shootdown/index.html "Civilian U.S. Planes Shot Down Near Cuba"]. ''[[CNN]]''. Retrieved March 5, 2011.</ref>

===Finland===
* [[Loviisa Nuclear Power Plant]], [[Loviisa]]<ref name="finlex">{{cite web |url= https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2014/20140930 |title= Valtioneuvoston asetus ilmailulta rajoitetuista alueista |date=December 4, 2020|publisher =Finlex |access-date=December 4, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant]], [[Eurajoki]]<ref name="finlex"/>
*[[Kilpilahti oil refinery]], [[Porvoo]]<ref name="finlex"/>
*[[Munkkiniemi]], [[Helsinki]]<ref name="finlex"/>
*[[Kruununhaka]], Helsinki<ref name="finlex"/>
*[[Meilahti]], Helsinki<ref name="finlex"/>
*[[Luonnonmaa]], [[Naantali]]<ref name="finlex"/>
*[[Hanhikivi Nuclear Power Plant]], [[Pyhäjoki]]<ref name="finlex"/>

=== France===
* All traffic is prohibited above [[Paris]]. Exceptions include military aircraft and civil aeroplanes flying no lower than {{convert|6500|ft|m}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/dvd/eAIP_23_MAY_2019/FRANCE/AIRAC-2019-05-23/html/index-fr-FR.html |title=AIRAC 2019-05-23 |access-date=2019-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525191414/https://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/dvd/eAIP_23_MAY_2019/FRANCE/AIRAC-2019-05-23/html/index-fr-FR.html |archive-date=2019-05-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Authorisations are either given by the [[Ministry of Defence (France)|Ministry of Defence]], for military aircraft, or by the [[Paris Police Prefecture]] and the [[Directorate General for Civil Aviation]] for civil ones. Moreover, the flying of helicopters within the limits of Paris (designated the [[Boulevard Périphérique]]) is also forbidden. Special authorisation can be granted by the Prefecture of Police for helicopters undertaking precise missions such as police air-surveillance, air ambulances but also transport of high-profile personalities.
* Although not within Paris boundaries, the business district of [[La Défense]] has been placed under prohibited airspace in response to [[9/11]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paris.fr/pratique/Portal.lut?page_id=8252|title=Espace aérien|access-date=June 9, 2013|website=[[Mairie de Paris]]|language=fr|archive-date=November 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126091445/http://www.paris.fr/pratique/Portal.lut?page_id=8252|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Greece===
*All traffic is prohibited above the [[Parthenon]] below {{convert|5000|ft|m}}. This includes aircraft departing from [[Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport]].

=== Hungary===
*[[Budapest]] ([[Inner City (Budapest)|Inner city]] and [[Buda Hills]])
**[[Hungarian Parliament Building]], including the heavily protected [[Holy Crown of Hungary]]
**[[Buda Castle]], including [[Sándor Palace]] (home to the [[President of Hungary|president]] and his family)
**[[Hungarian National Bank]] HQ
**[[Hungarian National Museum]]
**[[Saint Stephen's Basilica]], including the heavily protected Holy Right, the right hand of [[Stephen I of Hungary|Saint Stephen]] (the founder of [[Hungary]])
**[[Atomic bunker F4]]
**[[Nuclear reactor|Research reactor]] of the [[Hungarian Academy of Sciences|MTA Central Physical Research Institute]] in [[Buda Hills]]
*[[Paks]] (area around [[Paks Nuclear Power Plant]])
*Bases of the [[Hungarian Homeland Defence Forces]] through the country (including [[Kecskemét Air Base]], [[Pápa Air Base]], [[Szolnok Air Base]])
*[[National parks]] and [[holiday resort]]s (including [[Lake Balaton]] and [[Hortobágy National Park]])
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.galatech.hu/pg/dir/GMairsp/map_Hungary-all-zones_below-9500ft-2900m.htm|title=Hungary all zones below 9500ft / 2900m including green zones – Airspace route planner|website=www.galatech.hu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.galatech.hu/pg/dir/Bp-TMA_2010-05-06_noFillGx.pdf|title=Airspace of the Budapest metropolitan area (detailed map)}}</ref>

===India===

* The [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]] in Delhi.
* [[Sansad Bhavan|Parliament Building]], prime minister's residence, and other important centres in [[New Delhi]].
* The airspace around many Defence and [[Indian Air Force]] bases are restricted, although new proposals are suggesting opening them for civilian aircraft.
* [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] in [[Tirupati]] state of [[Andhra Pradesh]].
* [[Padmanabhaswamy Temple]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram district]] state of [[Kerala]].
* The [[Taj Mahal]], [[Agra]], State of [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]
* [[Tower of Silence#India|The Tower of Silence]], [[Mumbai]].
* [[Mathura Refinery]]
* [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]]
* [[Sriharikota]] Space Station in [[Nellore district]] state of [[Andhra Pradesh]].
* A 10-km radius no-fly zone over [[Kalpakkam#Nuclear facilities|Kalpakkam nuclear installation]], Tamil Nadu. All flight activity to {{convert|10000|feet|m}} over the Kalpakkam area is prohibited.<ref>Official order by the [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)]] dated 16 December 2008 (http://dgca.nic.in/aic/aic14_2008.pdf). Retrieved 25 October 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kumar|first=Vinay|title=No-fly zone over Kalpakkam plant|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/17/stories/2008121758680100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217051014/http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/17/stories/2008121758680100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 December 2008|access-date=25 October 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=17 December 2008}}</ref>
* [[Golden Temple]] in [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[India]]

===Iran===
*[[Shahid Modarres missile base explosion|Shahid Modarres missile base]] at Bidganeh near Malard, Tehran
===Ireland===
*[[Portlaoise Prison]]
*[[Limerick Prison]]
*[[Curragh Camp]]
*[[Phoenix Park]]
*[[Mountjoy Prison]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.iaa.ie/docs/default-source/default-document-library/prohibitedanddangerareasdirection1006041.pdf?sfvrsn=7c630df3_2|title= Direction|date= 2004|website=www.iaa.ie |format=PDF|access-date=2020-01-11}}</ref>

=== Israel===
* [[Negev Nuclear Research Center]]
* [[Sdot Micha Airbase]]
* [[Al-Aqsa]]

Due to [[Arab–Israeli conflict]], [[Israel]]i aircraft are not allowed to fly over numerous countries. These include:
* Iran
* Lebanon
* Syria
* Iraq
* Pakistan
* Libya
* Tunisia
* Malaysia
* Indonesia
* Yemen
* Algeria
* Mali
* Niger
* Mauritania
* Bangladesh

=== Pakistan===
* [[Islamabad]] – The no-fly zone is specifically along [[Constitution Avenue, Islamabad|Constitution Avenue]] in North-east Islamabad, where many important government buildings are located:
** The [[Majlis-e-Shoora|Parliament Building]]
** The [[Aiwan-e-Sadr|Presidency (Residence of the President)]]
** The [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister's]] Residence
** The Prime Minister's Secretariat
** The [[Supreme Court of Pakistan|Supreme Court]]
** [[Kahuta Research Laboratories]], Pakistan's main facility for the development of nuclear weapons
** [[Khushab Nuclear Complex]]

=== Peru===
* [[Machu Picchu]]

===Poland===
* Temporary flight restrictions over any publicly announced event in a stadium (capacity) or plaza (expected attendance) exceeds 20,000 people by a radius of 5 nautical miles (9.2km) under a height of 5,000 feet (1.5km). An additional strict drone usage restriction is in place for [[PGE Narodowy]] Stadium in [[Warsaw]], not permitting usage within 500 metres of the stadium. Non-compliance for both private and corporation actors starts with a minimum fine of 10000PLN (2339 EUR in August 2024)

Many flights are being regularly routed through the outer regions of this airspace due to [[Ukraine War]].

Since October 25, 2015, [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] aircraft have been prohibited from entering Russian airspace.

After the Western countries banned Russian planes from its skies following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], aircraft registered in or operated by the Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and the European Union member states{{refn|Aircraft registered in and operated by the [[Eurozone countries]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Poland]], [[Sweden]] and [[Denmark]] only.}} are banned from using Russian airspace.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ukraine-war-sanctions-putin-retaliation-bar-entry-unfriendly-nations/|title=Russia to bar people from a growing list of "unfriendly" nations as sanctions over Putin's Ukraine war bite|date=28 March 2022|work=[[CBS News]]|publisher=[[Paramount Global|Paramount]]|location=[[New York City|New York]]|agency=AFP}}</ref>

On October 30, 2022, [[Cathay Pacific]], a [[Hong Kong]] airline, announced that it would resume using Russian airspace on some flights such as the "[[polar route]]" from New York to Hong Kong, which had stopped following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Shekhawat |first1=Jaiveersingh |last2=Dey |first2=Mrinmay |date=2022-10-30 |title=Cathay Pacific to resume some flights in Russian airspace |language=en |location=[[Hong Kong]]|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/cathay-pacific-resume-some-flights-using-russian-airspace-bloomberg-news-2022-10-30/ |access-date=2022-10-30}}</ref>

Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian aircraft are not allowed to fly over numerous countries. These include:
* Andorra
* Australia
* Canada
* European Union
** Austria
** Belgium
** Croatia
** Czech Republic
** Denmark
** Estonia
** Finland
** France
** Germany
** Greece
** Hungary
** Ireland
** Italy
** Latvia
** Lithuania
** Luxembourg
** Malta
** Netherlands
** Poland
** Portugal
** Slovakia
** Slovenia
** Spain
** Sweden
* Greenland
* Iceland
* Japan
* Liechtenstein
* New Zealand
* Norway
* San Marino
* Singapore
* South Korea
* Switzerland
* Taiwan
* United Kingdom
* United States

=== Saudi Arabia ===
* [[Great Mosque of Makkah]]
* [[Masjid an-Nabawi]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviationsecrets.com/why-commercial-airplanes-never-fly-over-some-places/|title=Why Commercial Airplanes Never Fly Over Some Places ?|access-date=2021-07-05|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183025/https://aviationsecrets.com/why-commercial-airplanes-never-fly-over-some-places/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== South Korea ===
* [[Korean Demilitarized Zone]] (DMZ)

Besides, North Korean aircraft must obtain special approval from South Korean authorities before entering its airspace, and must not enter directly above the [[Military Demarcation Line]] (MDL).

===Sri Lanka===
According to Air Navigation (Air Defence) Regulation 1 (2007), airspace over the territory and territorial waters of [[Sri Lanka]] (except Ruhuna Open Skies Area) are declared an [[air defence identification zone]] (ADIZ) with prohibited areas and restricted areas within it. No aircraft may operate in prohibited or restricted areas without valid air defence clearance (ADC) from the [[Sri Lanka Air Force]] (SLAF).

Prohibited areas are,<ref name=":0">https://airport.lk/aasl/AIS/AMDT%20WEB/AIP%20FROM%2018%20JULY%202019/PDF/E62-1-15.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
*[[Colombo|Colombo City]] {{convert|1|nmi|km}} centering the [[Parliament of Sri Lanka|Parliament]] – [[Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte|Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte]]
*[[Sapugaskanda Refinery|Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery]] ({{convert|0.25|nmi|km|disp=comma}})
*Orugodawatta Petroleum storage tanks. ({{convert|0.25|nmi|km|disp=comma}})
*Kolonnawa Petroleum storage complex ({{convert|0.25|nmi|km|disp=comma}})

Restricted areas are,<ref name=":0" />
*Sri Lanka Air Force bases [[SLAF Anuradhapura]], [[SLAF Hingurakgoda]], [[SLAF Vavuniya]], [[SLAF Palaly]] and [[SLAF Sigiriya]] ({{convert|5|nmi|km|disp=comma}})
*[[Jaffna]] town ({{convert|5|nmi|km|disp=comma}})
*[[Trincomalee|Trincomalee harbour]] ({{convert|5|nmi|km|disp=comma}})
*[[China Bay Airport|SLAF China Bay]] ({{convert|10|nmi|km|disp=comma}})
*The [[Diyatalawa Garrison|garrison town of Diyatalawa]] ({{convert|2|nmi|km|disp=comma}})
*[[Temple of the Tooth]], [[Kandy]] ({{convert|2|nmi|km|disp=comma}}; earlier {{convert|6|nmi|km|disp=comma}})

=== Taiwan===
* The area around the [[Presidential Office Building, Taipei|Presidential Hall]] (總統府) and [[Taipei 101]], both located in [[Taipei]].
* Parts of the [[Taiwan Strait]]
* The area around the nuclear power plants in Taiwan.

Besides, Mainland China-registered aircraft bearing the [[Chinese national flag]] are also prohibited from entering Taiwanese airspace.

===Turkey===
*[[İmralı]] island<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.haberturk.com/imralinin-uzerindeki-ucus-yasaginin-sinirlarini-daraltildi-1833012 |title=İmralı'nın üzerindeki uçuş yasağının sınırlarını daraltıldı |work=Habertürk |language=tr |date=11 February 2018 |access-date=11 February 2018}}</ref>

===Ukraine===
Since October 25, 2015 all traffic by [[Russia]]n aircraft has been prohibited. As the result of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], the civilian flights flying over Ukraine and flights to the Ukrainian cities are suspended for the time being.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60505415|title=Ukraine airspace closed to civilian flights|last=Timmins|first=Beth|work=BBC News|location=Kyiv|date=24 February 2022}}</ref>

=== United Kingdom===
*[[Sellafield]] Nuclear Site, Cumbria
*[[Winfrith]] nuclear research site
*[[Atomic Energy Research Establishment]] Harwell has now been downgraded – see UK CAA
*[[RNAD Coulport]] / [[HMNB Clyde]] Faslane
*[[Dounreay#Dounreay Nuclear Power Development Establishment|Dounreay Nuclear Power Development Establishment]]
*[[Buckingham Palace]]
*[[Windsor Castle]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Windsor Castle no-fly zone application after security breach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-59927668 |work=BBC News |date=9 January 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1024/pdfs/uksi_20181024_en.pdf The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Windsor Castle) (No. 2) Regulations 2018]</ref>
*[[Palace of Westminster|Houses of Parliament]]
*[[Purple Corridor]]
*[[Downing Street]]

===United States===
The FAA issues [[Federal Aviation Regulations|Temporary Flight Restrictions]] (TFR) in the form of a [[NOTAM|Notice to Air Missions]] (NOTAM) which are effective for the duration of an event, typically a few days or weeks. TFRs are issued for VIP movement such as the president's travels outside Washington, D.C., surface-based hazards to flight such as toxic gas spills or volcanic eruptions, air-shows, military security, and special events including political ones like national party conventions.<ref>{{cite web|title=FLIGHT ADVISORY National Special Security Event Republican National Convention Tampa, Florida August 26-30, 2012|url=http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/media/120730_Published_RNC_Flight_Advisory.pdf|publisher=FAA}}</ref> TFRs have also been issued to ensure a safe environment for firefighting operations in the case of wildfires and for other reasons as necessary. A TFR was quickly issued around [[2006 New York City Cirrus SR20 crash|the crash site of Cory Lidle's airplane in New York City]]. Later, a broader TFR was issued to require pilots traveling over the East River to obtain air traffic control clearance.

====Permanent prohibited areas====
*[[Thurmont, Maryland]], site of Presidential retreat [[Camp David]] (Prohibited Area 40 or P-40)
*[[Amarillo, Texas]], [[Pantex]] nuclear assembly plant (P-47)
*[[Bush Ranch]] near [[Crawford, Texas]] (P-49)
*[[Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay]], Georgia (P-50)
*[[Naval Base Kitsap]], Washington (P-51)
*[[Washington, D.C.]], U.S. Capitol, White House, and Naval Observatory (P-56); see '''''Other restrictions''''' below for information about all Active Prohibited Areas in the Washington D.C./Baltimore Flight Restricted Zone.
*[[Bush compound]] near [[Kennebunkport, Maine]] (P-67)
*[[Mount Vernon]], Virginia, home of [[George Washington]] (P-73)
*[[Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness]] in northern [[Minnesota]] (P-204, 205, and 206)

Temporary restrictions over [[Cinderella Castle#Flight regulations (Walt Disney World)|Disney theme parks]] were made permanent with language added to a 2003 federal spending bill.<ref>{{cite news|title=No-fly zones over Disney parks face new scrutiny|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-disney-airspace-20141110-story.html|last=Pearce|first=Matt|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|location=[[Los Angeles]]}}</ref> Additionally, an indirect TFR prohibits flight below {{convert|3000|ft|m}} above ground level and within a {{convert|3|nmi|km}} radius of stadiums with seating capacity of 30,000 or more, in which an [[World Series]], [[MLS Cup]] Final, [[Super Bowl]], [[College Football Playoff National Championship]], [[Grand Slam (NASCAR)|NASCAR grand slam races]], [[WrestleMania]], or the [[Olympic games]] in the United States are taking place, from one hour before to one hour after the event except those [[List of American and Canadian cities by number of major professional sports franchises#Teams by urban area|sports teams]] residing and [[List of stadiums in Canada|stadiums]] in [[Canada]].

TFRs over public and corporate venues have been controversial. Groups have questioned whether these last TFRs served a public need, or the needs of politically connected venue operators.<ref>[http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/complete/185003-1.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207091517/http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2006/060412adiz-meeting3.pdf|date=2012-02-07}} [http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2006/060412adiz-meeting3.pdf] </ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-building|title=Aircraft Building | EAA|website=www.eaa.org}}</ref>

====Other restrictions====
In addition to areas off limits to civil aviation, a variety of other airspace restrictions exists in the United States. Notable ones include the Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) encompassing all airspace up to {{convert|18000|ft|m|-2}} within approximately {{convert|15|nmi|km|0}} of [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport]] around [[Washington, D.C.]] Flights within this airspace, while not entirely prohibited, are highly restricted. All pilots flying within the FRZ are required to undergo a background check and fingerprinting. An additional [[Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area|"Special Flight Rules Area"]] encompassing most of the [[Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area|Baltimore-Washington D.C. metropolitan area]] requires the filing of a flight plan and communication with air traffic control.

==See also==
* [[Air defense identification zone]]
* [[Controlled airspace]]
* [[Restricted airspace]]
* [[Special use airspace]]
* [[No-fly zone]]

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091006231533/http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ATpubs/AIM/Chap3/aim0304.html FAA Aeronautical Information Manual]

[[Category:Special use airspaces]]

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Prohibited airspace