2026-2027 Melbourne CBD New Year's Eve Laser Display

AIRSPACE CHANGE PROPOSAL MELBOURNE CBD NEW YEARS EVE LASER DISPLAY - 31 DEC 2026-01 JAN 2027 

The Melbourne CBD Laser display is an annual event conducted on behalf of the City of Melbourne (CoM) and has been successfully held four times since 2022. The CoM has recently extended the contract with Genius Laser Technology (GLT) to plan, design and execute an impressive 10-minute timecoded laser show to bring in the New Year. Since its inception in 2022 the size and scope of the display have changed, increasing each year. 

To achieve the display for 2026/2027, high powered laser projectors have been strategically positioned at eleven key locations across the city. The lasers have a visibility range of over 50 kilometres, potentially making them visible from the opposite side of Port Phillip Bay (depending on weather conditions). Inherently as the spectacle grew on the ground, aircraft operators took advantage of the displays around the CBD which increased orbits around the CBD at that time. Whilst numerous efforts had been made to reduce the risk of aircraft straying into the path of the laser(s) a number of lasers have had to be shut down in order to reduce the exposure risk to those aircraft that have strayed into the laser path. 

For the 2025/2026 display, a Temporary Restricted Area (TRA) and Temporary Danger Area (TDA) were established through an Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) and subsequently promulgated via AIP Supplement (SUP) H202/25. 

In order to mitigate the exposure risk and provide for improved management and control of the airspace, an Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) will be submitted to the Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) for consideration in support of the 2026/2027 display. It is proposed that the TRA and TDA will generally reflect the same coordinates as those established for the 2025/2026 display. 

The TRA and TDA areas overlap because the two airspace measures address different hazards and operational requirements. The TRA provided the airspace access and traffic-management mechanism, while the TDA identified the area in which the laser display presented a potential danger to aircraft.

The vertical difference between the two areas was also intentional. The TDA extended to 7,000 ft AMSL to provide protection from the laser hazard at higher operating levels, whereas the TRA provided additional control of aircraft operations in the lower airspace associated with the event.

The TRA will be established in conjunction with specific air traffic services and procedures designed to prevent inadvertent laser exposure to aircraft operating within the Melbourne CBD airspace. This will assist in maintaining compliance with applicable Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) laser safety requirements and eliminate the risk of distraction, flash blindness and glare to flight crew. 

The TDA is proposed to be established within Class G and Class C airspace to facilitate the safe operation of the laser display. 

Please see proposed TRA/TDA Boundaries below: 

TRA LATERAL LIMITS: 374846S 1445654E - 374428S 1450401E 374814S 1450734E - 375439S 1450203E - 375529S 1445627E 374846S 1445654E VERTICAL LIMITS: SFC-BCTA 

This configuration still allows for tracking to YMML RWY 34 via AKDEL and YMEN RWY 26 via EGEKA (with ATC clearance into the TRA) or a 3 nautical mile (n mile) visual approach to RWY 35. This will affect YMML departures via YARRA (NZ or USA southern routes) and the RWY 26 ILS/RNP and RWY 17 RNP published missed approaches. This will affect YMMB northern departures and previous CBD orbit traffic. 

The TRA will be controlled by Airservices Australia and will be activated via a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and Aeronautical Information Publication Supplement (AIP SUP) as required. 

TDA LATERAL LIMITS: 374846S 1445654E - 374428S 1450401E 374814S 1450734E - 375439S 1450203E - 375529S 1445627E 374846S 1445654E VERTICAL LIMITS: SFC - 7000 FT 

The TDA will be activated via Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and Aeronautical Information Publication Supplement (AIP SUP) and managed by Genius Laser Technology (GLT) GLT are seeking any relevant input from interested parties that may use the airspace.