Near-misses force immediate flight restrictions at Glos Airport

Strict measures to reduce traffic at Gloucestershire Airport are in place following a series of near-misses in or near the airport’s Air Traffic Zone.

The measures include compulsory slot bookings for all VFR (visual) movements for both resident and visiting pilots.

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A statement from the airport said, “During 2024, the airfield experienced 9 AIRPROX’s, six of which occurred in the ATZ.

“On January 2nd, 2025, another AIRPROX was reported which, according to video footage and the findings of our internal investigation, resulted in less than 50 feet separation between the two aircraft involved with neither party seeing the other in time to take evasive action.

“The CAA have made it clear that the volume of traffic at the airfield must be managed proactively in order to avoid future repeats of such incidents.

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“As the busiest GA Airfield in the country with mixed aircraft types, speeds, flight rules etc., it rapidly becomes a challenging environment for pilots and ATC who are managing any given scenario.

“A further meeting was held with the CAA on the 28th of January at which the ATC Inspectors mandated the immediate introduction of traffic capacity control measures.”

Gloucestershire Airport tower

New rules at Gloucestershire Airport

Key points:

• Each booked slot is for 15 minutes
• For each slot, a maximum of two departures, two arrivals and one circuit
• Based VFR Flights can book slots on the day before and day of flight
• Non Home-based VFR Flights must be booked on the day
• No visiting circuits between 10am and 2pm
• Each single training approach will require a 15-minute slot to be booked
• No circuits during cross runway operations
• Helicopters can only use Heli North for circuits
• HTA must be SW if Heli circuits in place
• VFR joiners routinely asked to hold clear of ATZ
• IFR inbounds told to hold clear if outside of slot
• No IFR approaches without PPR
• Default VFR join will be Direct rather than Standard Overhead Join
• No VFR Instrument Approach Procedures under Basic Service
• Flight plans do not constitute PPR
• Operators must provide contact details at time of booking (in case of requirement to amend booking)
• NO BLOCK BOOKINGS ACCEPTED
• ATC reserves the right to change any of these bookings on a tactical basis

Gloucestershire Airport