Temporary Restricted Areas to be Activated Over Cork City and Kinsale This Week

Pilots operating in the south of the country should be aware that two Temporary Restricted Areas (TRAs) will be established in County Cork on Tuesday 28^th July and Wednesday 29^th July 2026. The restrictions, published by the Irish Aviation Authority, cover separate areas around Cork City and Kinsale and are being implemented for security purposes. 

Both TRAs will become active from 0700 UTC on Tuesday 28^th July and will remain in force until 1600 UTC on Wednesday 29^th July 2026. In each case, the restricted airspace will extend from the surface to 3,000 feet AMSL and will be classified as ICAO Class C airspace. Both areas are located within the wider Cork Control Zone. 

The larger of the two restricted areas encompasses Cork City and the surrounding region, extending across a significant portion of the Cork CTR. A separate TRA will also be established around Kinsale, covering the harbour area and nearby coastline. The IAA states that the purpose of both restrictions is to ensure security in the vicinity of Cork City and Kinsale during the period concerned. 

As with previous security-related airspace restrictions, access will be tightly controlled. Aircraft authorised by the designated controlling authority will be permitted to operate within the areas, while State aircraft, Irish Coast Guard aircraft and HEMS operators engaged on operational missions are exempt from the restrictions. Scheduled commercial arrivals and departures at Cork Airport, including missed approaches, will also continue to be permitted. 

For all other aircraft, entry into either TRA will not be permitted while the restrictions are active. The IAA further notes that any exemptions, alleviations or permissions previously granted to civil general air traffic will not be valid within the restricted areas during the activation period unless specifically authorised under the terms of the TRA. 

A NOTAM will be issued by AIS to formally promulgate activation of the restrictions, and pilots are strongly advised to review all NOTAM information and plan accordingly before operating in the Cork area during the affected period. Given the size of the Cork City TRA in particular, operators transiting southern Ireland should carefully consider potential routing impacts and ensure compliance with the published restrictions. 

TRA Summary

Further details are available in the full notices: Cork City TRA (Here) and Kinsale TRA (Here).