Who enforces the regulations concerning prohibited areas in aviation?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for enforcing regulations concerning prohibited areas in aviation. Prohibited areas are specific regions of airspace established for security or safety reasons, where aircraft are not allowed to operate without prior authorization. The FAA develops and publishes regulations and guides that must be adhered to by all aviation stakeholders.

The FAA not only creates these regulations but also ensures compliance through inspections, oversight, and coordination with other agencies. This enforcement includes monitoring airspace use and responding to violations. Additionally, the FAA collaborates closely with military authorities when prohibited areas overlap with military operations, but it is ultimately the FAA that holds the regulatory authority to enforce compliance across the aviation sector.

While air traffic controllers play a significant role in monitoring and managing traffic within airspace, their primary function is to provide separation and guidance to aircraft rather than enforcing regulations regarding prohibited areas directly. Similarly, military authorities may have a role in managing military airspace, but they typically work in conjunction with the FAA and do not have the overarching authority to enforce regulations in the broader airspace system. Local flight schools focus on pilot training and education and do not have enforcement power over regulatory issues.