At the request of the Operations Command of Types of Armed Forces, the Polish Air Navigation Agency renewed the restricted air traffic region EP R129. It runs along the border with Belarus and Ukraine and reaches from 26 to 50 km inland. Restrictions on the free usage of this part of the Polish airspace are to apply until 9 March 2026.
Illustration picture. late Polish on-call pairs F-16 and MiG-29 have repeatedly intercepted Russian aircraft on the Baltic Sea operating without flight plans and off transponders, which posed a threat to air traffic safety.
As explained by the Polish Air Navigation Agency (PAŻP), the restrictions were introduced due to the request to guarantee State safety in accordance with the Minister of Infrastructure Regulation of 18 January 2019 on flight restrictions for a period of not more than 3 months.
These are the limitations of FL095, which apply to the area from the ground to the level of about 3000 metres, meaning that these restrictions are not applied to passenger aviation (passenger aircraft travel tallness is 9000–12,000 metres). The EP region R129, which runs along the border with Belarus and Ukraine, ranges from 26 to 50 km inland.
The last limitations in region EP R129 PPA introduced in September 2025 and were to apply until 9 December. Now they were extended to March 9, 2026 at the request of the Operations Command of the Types of Armed Forces. PPA indicated that so tiny and recreational aeroplanes (GA aviation category) may execute operations on a day-to-day basis in region EP R129 subject to the submission of a flight plan and the possession of radio and transponder. These planes are banned at night. civilian drone operators must besides quit night operations in the area. Unmanned aircraft (BSP) may be located in airspace during the day, if they do not violate the zones ADIZ Belarus and ADIZ Ukraine (air defence recognition zones).
The limitations do not apply to the operation of military aircraft operating in emergency mode (Garda, ALPHA SCRAMBLE), performing rescue/medical operations (SAR, HOSP, MEDEVAC, FFR) and another peculiar tasks (HEAD, STATE).
The operation of State aviation and air rescue services in the EP area R129 is possible after coordination with the Operations Directorate Air Operations Centre – Air Component Command. This rule applies, inter alia, to operations carried out at the time of the occurrence of natural disasters, disasters, environmental hazards or emergency situations, as well as to activities related to the protection and control of critical infrastructure.
PAŻP emphasizes that since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the introduction of restrictions in the airspace in the east of Poland is simply a regular practice, always implemented at the request of the military party.
