Poland restricts flights along Ukraine and Belarus borders for three months
Illustrative photo: Poland limits flights along the Ukraine and Belarus borders (Getty Images)
Since September 10, Poland has restricted air traffic along its border with Ukraine and Belarus. The measure has been taken for national security reasons and will remain in effect until December 9, RMF FM reports.
From September 10 to December 9, air traffic is restricted in eastern Poland along the border with Ukraine and Belarus.
The restriction was introduced for national security reasons, in accordance with a decree from the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure.
In the EP R129 zone, there is a complete flight ban from sunrise to sunset, except for military aircraft. Civil drones are prohibited 24/7.
From sunset to sunrise, only manned flights are allowed after filing a flight plan and complying with transponder and communication requirements, along with military aircraft and aircraft with GARDA, ALPHA SCRAMBLE, HEAD, STATE, SAR, HOSP, MEDEVAC, or FFR statuses.
The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency noted that flights by government and medical aviation, as well as missions providing aid during natural disasters, catastrophes, environmental threats, or emergencies, may additionally be allowed.
Flights related to the protection and monitoring of critical infrastructure may also be permitted.
The agency emphasized that entering the active zone with aircraft that do not meet the exemption criteria constitutes a violation of aviation law.
Recently, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Poland had decided to close its border with Belarus. The main reason was the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises Zapad-2025.
Russian drones over Poland
On September 10, a Russian drone attack on Ukraine for the first time affected Polish territory, a NATO member. At least 19 drones entered the country, four of which were shot down.
Due to the massive attack and potential threat, airports in Warsaw, Lublin, and Rzeszów were temporarily suspended. They later resumed operations.
Media reports indicate that the incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace caused concern in European civil aviation. Some airlines may adjust routes further from the borders with Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
After the UAV raid, Poland requested additional air-defense and anti-drone systems from NATO.
Read more about the overnight drone attack on Poland in our news article on the topic.
