Competition Areas in Rio will have Restricted Airspace Starting July 24
Restrictions on traffic by aircraft in Rio airspace due to the Olympics will begin next July 24, the Brazilian Airforce informed on Thursday (14th).
From July 24 until August 22, commercial overflights will be restricted within a radius of 7,2 kilometers around five regions that will have competitions. These regions are Barra da Tijuca, Copacabana, Maracanã, Engenho de Dentro and Deodoro.
These areas are classified code red. Only military, public security, public officials, medical aid and event official media aircraft will be authorized to fly within these.
The limitations in these areas will be permanent during the Games and overflights by helicopters, tourism aircraft, hang gliders, balloons or drones, independent of size or time of day are prohibited.
The restrictions will begin before the official start of the Olympics on August 5. This is due visits by athletes to the Olympic Village and other installations, which will be starting on the 24th.
In case of an invasion of airspace, the Airforce has authority to intercept the aircraft, escort it with fighters until it leaves restricted airspace or even force it to land.
As a last resort, in the case that a pilot refuses to obey such orders given, the military can shoot down the aircraft with fighters, anti-aircraft batteries or ground-to-air missiles.
Aerial transport of Heads of State, official delegations and commercial aircraft will be permitted outside of a radius of 27 kilometers around the five competition areas.
In this zone, classified as code yellow, airspace will be blocked starting 2 hours before events.
The last area, colored white, corresponds to a radius of 100 kilometers from the competition area and will follow normal rules, in which any aircraft obeying legal norms can fly.
The airspace restriction is similar to what was employed during the World Cup. The details were laid out and explained on Thursday during a press conference held by the Airforce.
The Airforce will also be responsible for receiving Heads of State. They will arrive in Rio at the airbase at Galeão, a military zone next to the Rio International Airport.
Translated by LLOYD HARDER