Restricted Area

Restricted areas occupy the middle ground in ICAO's classification of special use airspace, between danger areas, which only warn, and prohibited areas, which forbid flight entirely. The defining feature is conditionality: entry is permitted, but only in line with the conditions attached to the area — which may mean obtaining authorisation from a controlling authority, flying only when the area is inactive, or complying with specific procedures. Common reasons for establishing them include military training, weapons ranges and the protection of sensitive sites.

Each restricted area is published with a designator, lateral and vertical limits and details of its activity and controlling authority. Many are active only at certain times, so a restricted area that is hazardous when active may be transited freely when not. Entering an active restricted area without the required authorisation can carry safety and legal consequences, so operators check both the area's status and the conditions before planning a route through it.

Identifying restricted areas along a route and whether they are active is part of assessing access and hazard. AeroVigil presents airspace restrictions alongside conflict-zone and interference signals so operators can see standing and emerging constraints in one view.