Poland Establishes New Flight Restriction Zone Along Ukrainian and Belarusian Borders, Effective 2026

New EP R130 Flight Restriction Zone to be Implemented

According to ХВИЛЯ: Poland's Air Navigation Services Agency has announced the creation of a new flight restriction zone, designated EP R130, which will become active on March 10, 2026. This measure, enacted at the request of military command, will be in effect for three months. The zone will cover airspace in eastern Poland along the borders with Ukraine and Belarus. This move reflects ongoing regional security concerns and efforts to tighten airspace control near conflict zones.

The EP R130 zone will apply from ground level up to an altitude of approximately three kilometers. During nighttime hours, a complete ban on all aviation activity will be enforced, with exceptions granted only for:

• Flights by state security and military forces;
• Pre-coordinated operations at the Deblin-Królewskie Airport.

Daytime operations for private pilots and drone operators will be permitted only under strict regulations, which mandate:

• Submission of a flight plan;
• Use of a functioning transponder;
• Maintenance of continuous radio contact.

State aviation, medical evacuation flights, and rescue services will retain the right to unimpeded passage. The new EP R130 zone will replace the previous EP R129 zone. Notably, any aircraft may be ordered by the coordinator to land within 25 minutes.

Regional Security Context

The establishment of the EP R130 flight restriction zone is a direct response to heightened security demands in the region, particularly along Poland's borders with Ukraine and Belarus. It underscores an increase in military activity in these areas, likely connected to the current geopolitical situation. The nighttime flight ban and additional requirements for private pilots emphasize the critical importance of controlled airspace during a period of elevated regional tension.