Germany will restrict flights around World Cup stadiums during the soccer tournament later this year, the national air traffic control agency said Tuesday.
The agency said the restrictions will apply to aircraft using visual flight rules - largely helicopters and small privately operated planes - under which pilots control the aircraft by relying on what they can see outside.
On match days, private planes will be banned from a 3-nautical mile (about 5.6-kilometer or 3 1/2- mile) radius around stadiums, with the ban starting three hours before kickoff and ending three hours after matches finish.
Police, military and rescue aircraft will be exempted.
Wider 30-nautical mile (56-kilometer or 35-mile) exclusion zones can be activated at short notice "if the security situation requires," an air traffic control statement said.
World Cup matches will be staged at 12 stadiums across Germany. The tournament begins on June 9 and ends July 9.
News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.
