The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has announced a Temporary Restricted Area (TRA) in the vicinity of Gormanston Airfield, Co. Meath, from 6th July to 9th July 2026 to facilitate multiple drone operations being conducted by the Irish Defence Forces. The restriction will be in force from 1700 UTC on Monday 6th July until 0200 UTC on Thursday 9th July 2026 and extends from the surface to 1,499 feet AMSL. The TRA has been established to ensure the safe operation of multiple unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the vicinity of Gormanston Airfield during the period concerned.
The restricted airspace will encompass an area around Gormanston Airfield on the east coast of County Meath. The airspace within the TRA remains classified as ICAO Class G, however access will be strictly controlled for the duration of the activation. Under the terms of the IAA direction:
- State aircraft, Irish Coast Guard aircraft, HEMS operators on operational missions and authorised Defence Forces UAS operations are exempt from the restriction.
- Aircraft specifically authorised by the Irish Defence Forces, acting as the controlling authority, may be permitted to operate within the TRA.
- All other aircraft operations are prohibited during the activation period.
- Drone and rocket operations are also prohibited unless specific written permission has been obtained from both the IAA Flight Operations Department and the Irish Defence Forces.
| Lateral limits: | 53° 38′ 48.32”N 6° 11′ 47.81”W 53° 37′ 57.54”N 6° 12′ 36.42”W 53° 37′ 48.75”N 6° 13′ 20.62”W 53° 37′ 48.95”N 6° 14′ 12.85”W 53° 38′ 18.89”N 6° 15′ 08.20”W 53° 38′ 44.19”N 6° 15′ 02.05”W 53° 39′ 14.64”N 6° 13′ 18.59”W 53° 38′ 48.32”N 6° 11′ 47.81”W |
| Vertical limits: | SFC to 1499 feet AMSL. |
| Duration: | The period of the restriction shall be from 1700hrs UTC on the 06th July 2026 to 0200hrs UTC on the 09th July 2026. |
The full notice is available to view here.
