airspace
controlled sky above a place
the sky above a country or place where aircraft are officially controlled
[country/place] airspace; airspace over/above [place]
- The plane was denied permission to enter French airspace.
- Several countries closed their airspace to the airline after the incident.
- Military jets were sent to patrol the country's airspace.
- The aircraft entered Canadian airspace.
- The airport closed its airspace because of a drone.
space above land or buildings
the space above land or a building, sometimes treated as something a person can own or sell
airspace above/over [property/building]
- The developer bought the airspace above the old station to build apartments.
- The city allows owners to sell unused airspace to neighboring buildings.
- Disputes over airspace can delay major construction projects.
- The company bought the airspace above the building.
- Airspace rights can be valuable in a crowded city.
clear space for movement
the area of air around something that it uses or needs
[someone's/something's] airspace; share airspace with [something]
- Birds and aircraft often share airspace near busy airports.
- The drone flew too close and entered the helicopter's airspace.
- Please give the performer some airspace while she moves across the stage.
- The drone was in the plane's airspace.
- Give me a little airspace, please.
- Base: airspace
- Plural: airspace, airspaces
airspace rights
1rights to space above property
legal rights connected with using or building in the space above a property
- The developer purchased airspace rights from the church next door.
- In dense cities, airspace rights can be worth millions of dollars.
- The project was delayed by a dispute over airspace rights.
close airspace
1ban flights temporarily
to officially stop planes from using an area of sky
- The government closed its airspace to Russian aircraft.
- The airport closed the surrounding airspace after a drone was spotted.
- Several countries closed their airspace because of the volcanic ash cloud.
controlled airspace
1airspace managed by controllers
airspace where air traffic controllers guide and control aircraft
- Small aircraft need clearance before entering controlled airspace.
- The flight instructor explained the rules for operating in controlled airspace.
- Most airspace around major airports is controlled airspace.
personal airspace
1personal space around someone
the space around your body that you do not want other people to get too close to
- Back up a little—you are in my personal airspace.
- She hates crowded trains because strangers keep invading her personal airspace.
- The comedian joked that toddlers have no respect for personal airspace.
restricted airspace
1area with flight limits
a part of the sky where flying is limited or not allowed
- The pilot accidentally entered restricted airspace near the military base.
- Drones are banned in restricted airspace around the airport.
- The stadium was placed under restricted airspace during the event.
violate airspace
1enter airspace illegally
to fly into a country’s or restricted area’s sky without permission
- The fighter jet was accused of violating the neighboring country's airspace.
- Authorities said the drone had violated restricted airspace near the palace.
- The airline denied that its aircraft had violated any national airspace.