UK airports will see a shorter statutory notice window for new noise‑related operating restrictions from 1 July 2026. The Airport Noise‑related Operating Restrictions (Amendment) Regulations 2026 revise assimilated Regulation (EU) 598/2014 so that competent authorities must give two months’ notice, timed to when slot coordination parameters are set for the relevant scheduling period. (gov.uk)
The Department for Transport explains that the previous six‑month notice period was designed to allow the European Commission to comment prior to EU exit; with that role removed, the law is recalibrated while retaining ICAO’s Balanced Approach to aircraft noise management. The amended text now requires notice at least two months before the determination of coordination parameters. (gov.uk)
Parliament scrutinised the proposal under section 14(2) of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 using the negative procedure. The Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee agreed on 3 February 2026 and the Commons Transport Committee on 4 February 2026 that the instrument should proceed on a negative basis; the sifting window closed on 10 February 2026. (statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk)
The regulations extend across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Department confirms that legislative consent from Northern Ireland was obtained, reflecting that aerodromes are a transferred matter even though civil aviation is reserved. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
The change is procedural rather than substantive. A minimum three‑month consultation with interested parties remains a legal precondition before any new operating restriction is adopted, and authorities must continue to document the Balanced Approach-assessment, objective, measures considered and cost‑effectiveness-before final decisions. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Operationally, the reduced notice period is intended to align statute with industry practice. The IATA Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines provide for coordination parameters to be reviewed and declared shortly before each season’s initial submission deadline; setting legal notice at two months before that determination allows decisions to be taken nearer to implementation while preserving due process. (iata.org)
Given the narrow, procedural scope, the Department did not run a formal public consultation. Instead, it engaged Airport Coordination Limited, airport operators, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Business and Trade; stakeholders indicated the amended window will not disrupt slot planning. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
No full impact assessment has been prepared. The Department expects no, or no significant, effect on businesses, charities or the voluntary sector; the change is framed as reducing administrative burden on competent authorities, consistent with section 14(5) of the REUL Act 2023. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Key dates for delivery teams are clear: parliamentary sifting concluded in early February 2026 and commencement is set for 1 July 2026. Any proposal to introduce or vary operating restrictions for an upcoming season must now be notified at least two months before coordination parameters are determined for that season. (statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk)