However boundless it may appear, the sky is not all the same. There are spaces inaccessible even to the most powerful commercial jets: no engine roar, no light, no trail of condensation, just silence. Taking a look at Flightradar 24, the Swedish service of air traffic tracking, It is often easy to realise this. In these days of unrest and war, for example, vast areas such as over Ukraine and Iranian airspace are empty, all around swarms of planes so dense that they merge into a single stream.
We are talking about spaces that are temporarily or permanently off limits to flight, a subject that crosses security, diplomacy, mystery and sometimes even a dash of science fiction.
There are parts of the world where planes do not fly for reasons of safety and opportunity. One does not fly over Tibet for example, only planes going to one of the local airports. This is because it is an impervious and mountainous region, with an average altitude of 5,000 metres and peaks of 8,000 on Everest. Under normal conditions, aircraft fly much higher, of course, but in the event of an emergency (cabin decompression, engine failure, etc.) they would not be able to carry out the manoeuvre that would be useful to safeguard the flight and passengers, i.e. descending to a safe altitude, usually around 3,000 metres. By the way, as one can imagine, this is areas with significant turbulence.
A separate argument can be made for Antarctica, where one does not normally fly simply because it is not functional for any commercial route. Several planes, on the other hand, regularly pass over the Arctic, such as those connecting Asia to Northern Europe.
And where you can't (the no-fly zones)
Apart from the logic of security and efficiency, every sovereign state has the right to control the airspace above its territory and limit it as it sees fit. There are several skies where you cannot fly, some more unsuspected than others. Let us look at the most famous ones:
Area 51 - Nevada, USA
Not much introduction is needed for the epicentre of the mystery. This stretch of desert in Nevada is off-limits to everyone, including unauthorised military pilots. Technically, it is a “prohibited” (P-Restricted) airspace, managed with a severity that fuels legends of UFOs and secret technologies. The truth is more concrete: it is a test centre for advanced US defence aircraft.
Vatican City
A tiny state with gigantic symbolic power and influence. For security reasons, mainly related to the figure of the Pope, the airspace above the Vatican is closed to traffic. Of course, Rome also has several strict restrictions, but the Vatican's micro-sky remains strictly “no-fly”.
Disneyland and Disney World - USA
Yes, you read that right. Since 2003, the airspace above the Disney parks in California and Florida has been banned for security reasons. This is a post-9/11 measure, which makes these places “TFR” (Temporary Flight Restriction), although there is actually very little that is temporary.
The White House and the Capitol - Washington D.C.
The entire airspace above Washington D.C. is one of the most controlled in the world. The risk of terrorism has made these skies armoured, with an absolute no-go zone and a surrounding area subject to strict clearances. Even a small drone risks triggering military intervention.
Mecca - Saudi Arabia
During the Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage, millions of believers travel to Mecca. To protect the sanctity and safety of the place, the airspace is effectively closed to commercial traffic. No aircraft, unless authorised, may fly over the holy city.
Flying, but with rules
Every day, thousands of planes ply the skies of the planet. To do so, they must follow very strict rules: approved flight plans, precise altitudes, established corridors. The skies are not the Wild West, but a gigantic chessboard where every move is calculated. And in the midst of this high-altitude game, there are squares that remain empty. Not by chance, but by choice.
Those studying at the’Accademia del Lavoro, dreaming of a future in airport management, in the safety airplane or in the logistics, must obviously know these aspects not only out of curiosity. It is professional culture, understanding the world around us, even the world above us.
