Formidable Shield is happening again this year, from May 9-27, which will mean parts of North Atlantic airspace will be closed to all flights for several hours at a time.
Back in 2021, the airspace closures were pretty big, stretching halfway across the EGGX/Shanwick FIR. Things aren’t so bad this year though – it looks like the closures will just be limited to an area off the west coast of Scotland.
Deep in the bowels of the Eurocontrol website they have published this doc which tells you all about the different closures in the various little chunks of airspace.
So for planning NAT flights, watch out for the whole area from ORTAV in the north to APSOV in the south. And for any questions on Formidable Shield, you can contact the UK Airspace Management Cell at SWK-MAMC-ManagedAirspace@mod.gov.uk.
More on the topic:
- More: Blue Spruce Routes Are Gone (But You Can Still Fly Them)
- More: Updated FAA Oceanic Guides
- More: Greenland NAT Alternates: July 2025 Update
- More: NAT Airspace Closures: Formidable Shield 2025
- More: NAT Changes 2025: No More Blue Spruce Routes
More reading:
- Latest: Blue Spruce Routes Are Gone (But You Can Still Fly Them)
- Latest: Updated FAA Oceanic Guides
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- Safe Airspace: Risk Database
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