Run airport ground services and meet air cargo security rules

Guide summary

Follow the directions made under the Aviation Security Act 1982 and the National Aviation Security Programme
Some roles under the National Aviation Security Programme need a background check, including a criminal record check
A conviction listed as disqualifying can rule a person out of those security roles
Airport and aerodrome operators need Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) certification or licensing for safety
Airports with a dominant position, such as Heathrow and Gatwick, are economically regulated by the CAA
Failing without reasonable excuse to follow a security direction is an offence
Penalty for ignoring a security direction: unlimited fine and up to 2 years in prison on indictment
Failing to comply with an aviation security enforcement notice carries a fine

The Department for Transport sets UK aviation security policy and the Secretary of State makes aviation security directions under the Aviation Security Act 1982. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulates security at airports and for air carriers, cargo and in-flight suppliers, and checks and enforces compliance.

Some roles under the National Aviation Security Programme need a background check, including a criminal record check. A conviction listed as disqualifying can rule a person out of those roles.

Aviation security

Aviation security programme — NASP (CAA / DfT)

If you are an airport operator, ground handler, regulated agent or known consignor in the secure air-cargo supply chain (SIC 52.23), you must comply with directions under the Aviation Security Act 1982 and the UK National Aviation Security Programme.

If you are an airport operator, ground handler, regulated agent or known consignor in the secure air-cargo supply chain, you must comply with directions under the Aviation Security Act 1982 and the UK National Aviation Security Programme (NASP). The regime is overseen by DfT with the CAA as compliance regulator. This applies to parties within the air-cargo / airport security regime.

Statutory source: Aviation Security Act 1982 (c. 36); UK National Aviation Security Programme (NASP)
Regulator: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) / Department for Transport
Applies to: Air-cargo / airport security regime participants (SIC 52.23)
Territorial scope: United Kingdom

Running the airport

Airport operation and economic regulation (CAA)

If you operate an aerodrome or airport (SIC 52.23), you need CAA aerodrome certification for safety. Dominant airports are economically regulated by the CAA under the Civil Aviation Act 2012 licence regime.

If you operate an aerodrome or airport, you require CAA aerodrome certification/licensing for safety. Dominant airports (for example Heathrow and Gatwick) are economically regulated by the CAA under the Civil Aviation Act 2012 licence regime, alongside the Civil Aviation Act 1982. This applies to airport/aerodrome operators.

Statutory source: Civil Aviation Act 1982 (c. 16); Civil Aviation Act 2012 (c. 19)
Regulator: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Applies to: Service activities incidental to air transportation (SIC 52.23)
Territorial scope: United Kingdom

Enforcement and penalties

Failing without reasonable excuse to comply with a security direction from the Secretary of State is an offence. It carries an unlimited fine and up to 2 years in prison on indictment (Aviation Security Act 1982, section 14). Failing to comply with an aviation security enforcement notice carries a fine (section 18C).

Legal basis

Primary legislation and key regulations

Civil Aviation Act 2012 Primary 2012 · UK-wide Aviation Security Act 1982 Primary 1982 · UK-wide Civil Aviation Act 1982 Primary 1982 · UK-wide

Browse UK legislation legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

CAA: security regulation (opens in a new tab)

www.caa.co.uk

Aviation security overview | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab)

CAA

CAA — economic regulation of airports (opens in a new tab)

Run airport ground services and meet air cargo security rules

Aviation security

Running the airport

Enforcement and penalties

Legal basis

Official guidance

Related guides in General Compliance

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