Airspace Closed Over UK Bridges as HMS Queen Elizabeth Departs Dockyard

Britain's aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth left Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland on Sunday, marking its return to service after maintenance work. The 65,000-tonne ship was guided by eight tugboats as it exited the facility, where it had undergone propulsion system enhancements and other tasks. The carrier was originally assembled at the site and launched in July 2014.

m. on Friday due to the carrier's movement through the waterway. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander authorized the measures on grounds of national defense and security. The restrictions prohibit unmanned aircraft from operating below 1,400 feet without Ministry of Defence approval.

The ban covers the airspace above the Forth Bridge, the Queensferry Crossing, and the Forth Road Bridge. The carrier must wait for low tide conditions to navigate beneath these bridges as it continues its journey.

The departure occurs amid reports of delays in Royal Navy responses to recent international events. Earlier this year, an Iranian drone strike on a British base in Cyprus on March 1 caused no casualties and minimal damage. HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, took three weeks to reach the eastern Mediterranean after a week-long delay in leaving Portsmouth due to being in dry dock.

European allies deployed vessels that arrived in Cypriot waters between March 5 and March 13, including frigates from France, Spain, Italy, and a Dutch vessel.