The Secretary of State Karen Bradley has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict flying in the vicinity of the Royal Portrush Golf Club, by reason of the intended gathering of large numbers over the period of the Open Championship.
The Secretary of State made the above regulation in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order.
These Regulations impose restrictions on the ‘flying of aircraft in the vicinity of the Royal Portrush Golf Club, County Antrim, by reason of the intended gathering of large numbers of persons attending the Open Golf tournament being held there between 14th July and 22nd July 2019, (inclusive).’
Between 0300 hours and 2100 hours on each of the nine days beginning on 14th July and ending on 22nd July 2019, no aircraft is to fly below 2,500 feet above
mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1.5 nautical miles whose centre is at 551203N 0063806W.
It also includes, by virtue of article 23 of that Order, any small balloon, any kite weighing not more than two kilograms, any small unmanned aircraft and any
parachute including a par-ascending parachute.
The above does not apply to any aircraft operating—
(a) by or on behalf of—
(i) the Police Service of Northern Ireland,
(ii) the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance,
(iii) the Irish Coast Guard,
(iv) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The organisers R&A have extended the capacity on each of the four championship days by 3,750, meaning 43,750 spectators will be at the venue each day.
Northern Ireland is staging the Major golf tournament for the first time since 1951.
The times mentioned in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which for the
purpose of these Regulations is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
