At the request of the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command, and in order to ensure national security, from 10 June 2026 at 00:00 UTC until 9 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC, air traffic restrictions will be introduced in the eastern part of Poland in the form of the EP R131 restricted zone. The zone covers the airspace from ground level to FL95, which, in simple terms, is an altitude of approximately 3 km. Consequently, it does not apply to passenger aircraft operating at higher altitudes. This restriction replaces the currently applicable EP R130 zone and is, in practice, a continuation of it.
From sunset to sunrise (at night), a total flight ban will be in force within the EP R131 zone, which will not apply to military aircraft or take-offs and landings from Depułtycze Królewskie Airport (EPCD) coordinated with military COP-DKP. During this time, the EP R131 airspace will be unclassified.
From sunrise to sunset (during the day), a flight ban will be in force, with the exception of the aforementioned military aircraft, as well as:
- Manned aircraft operating under a filed flight plan, equipped with a functioning SSR transponder operating in Mode A and C, or in Mode S, maintaining continuous air-ground radio watch with the relevant ATS authority and, if necessary, establishing two-way communication on the appropriate communication channel of the relevant ATS authority;
- Operating under the code words GARDA, ALPHA SCRAMBLE;
- With the status HEAD, STATE, SAR, HOSP, MEDEVAC, FFR;
- Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) without infringing the Belarus ADIZ and Ukraine ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zones).
- Following coordination with the Duty Operations Service of the Air Operations Centre – Air Component Command (DSO COP-DKP), flights not meeting the above criteria may be permitted:
- State aviation and air ambulance services
- Flights carried out to provide assistance in cases of danger to human or animal life or health, including in particular during natural disasters, catastrophes, environmental hazards or emergencies;
- Flights related to the protection and control of critical infrastructure;
- Flights within designated special TRA zones, following consultation with the COP-DKP Duty Operations Service, in accordance with agreed rules and conditions.
The zone will be active 24 hours a day. Depending on the location, it will extend from approximately 20 to approximately 50 km into Polish territory. We would like to remind you that the entry of aircraft that do not meet the exemption criteria into the active R zone constitutes a breach of the provisions of the Aviation Law.
The restriction has been introduced due to the need to ensure national security in accordance with the Regulation of the Polish Minister of Infrastructure of 18 January 2019 on flight restrictions for a period not exceeding 3 months.
