Poland closes eastern airspace bordering Ukraine, Belarus until December

Poland has temporarily closed part of its eastern airspace adjoining the borders with Ukraine and Belarus, with restrictions in place from September 10, and set to last at least until the end of December, according to a notice published by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The closure concerns the so-called EPR129 zone, a restricted section of airspace stretching along Poland’s eastern frontier, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The coordinates specified in the notice define a closed area where flights will either be fully prohibited or strictly limited. The designation "Restricted Area" means access is permitted only for certain types of aircraft, such as military planes or those with special authorisation.

Authorities generally impose such measures for safety reasons, both to safeguard national defence and civil aviation. Given the geopolitical situation and the zone’s proximity to conflict-affected areas, the decision is seen as prudent, albeit concerning.

Polish officials have yet to comment on the reasons for extending the restrictions until December. Experts suggest it may be linked to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the increased activity of drones in border regions. These measures allow authorities to manage air traffic and prevent potential incidents or unauthorised flights.

For commercial aviation, this means rerouting is required. Airlines have already been avoiding eastern Polish airspace for several months, and these adjustments are now officially codified in a NOTAM, a notice to aircrew.

Temporary airspace restrictions are not uncommon, but the scale and duration of this closure underline the seriousness of the situation. While the measures do not entirely prohibit flights over eastern Poland, routes and altitudes will be tightly controlled, with any deviations monitored by military and aviation authorities.

Polish airspace is likely to remain under heightened surveillance, particularly amid broader trends of reinforced borders across Eastern Europe. Whether these measures will extend beyond December will depend on developments in the region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev