Transport & Logistics UK-wide

Which air transport regulations apply to your business

Running an air transport business — passenger airline, cargo carrier or spaceflight operator — carries a heavy, sector-specific licensing load on top of the usual workplace duties: operating licences, air operator certificates, airworthiness, crew licensing, ATOL protection, passenger rights, dangerous goods and spaceflight licences.

Guide summary

Run a safe air transport operation by following workplace health and safety duties, then get the correct licences and certificates for your type of business. You need an operating licence, air operator certificate, airworthy aircraft, licensed crew, and ATOL protection if you sell package holidays. If you operate spaceflight, you need a separate licence under the Space Industry Act 2018. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) handles aviation and spaceflight licensing; the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) oversees workplace safety.

  • Keep people safe around aircraft, fuel, noise, and height work
  • Follow the 'Set up and run a safe air transport operation' guide
  • Get an operating licence and air operator certificate
  • Make sure aircraft are airworthy and crew are licensed
  • Get ATOL protection if you sell package holidays
  • Follow passenger rights and dangerous goods rules
  • Apply for a spaceflight licence if you operate in space
  • Use the air transport compliance checklist before starting
  • Workplace safety is enforced by HSE (GB) or HSENI (NI)
  • Aviation and spaceflight licensing is done by the CAA
On this page

Related guides in Compliance & Legal

Air transport — whether you carry passengers, freight or conduct spaceflight activities — is one of the most heavily licensed sectors in the UK. Two things run in parallel. First, like any employer you must keep your people safe around aircraft, fuel, cargo handling and noise, and meet your duties as an employer. Second, the operations themselves are tightly controlled: you need an operating licence, an air operator's certificate, airworthy aircraft with licensed crew, ATOL protection if you sell packages, and you must meet passenger rights and dangerous-goods rules. If you operate in spaceflight, a separate statutory regime under the Space Industry Act 2018 applies.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the single UK-wide regulator for aviation and spaceflight licensing. Workplace health and safety is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain and by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) in Northern Ireland.

What you need to do

  1. 1

    Run a safe operation and employ people

    Whatever you carry, start with the universal spine. Follow "Set up and run a safe air transport operation" for your health and safety duties around aircraft handling, fuel, noise and working at height, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection.

  2. 2

    Get your aviation and spaceflight licences and certificates

    The sector-specific licensing regime: operating licence, air operator's certificate, airworthiness and crew licensing, ATOL, passenger rights, dangerous goods by air, and — if you operate in spaceflight — operator licence, spaceport licence and third-party liability. Follow "Get your aviation and spaceflight licences and certificates".

  3. 3

    Confirm you have covered everything

    Finish with the air transport compliance checklist to confirm your obligations are met before you begin commercial operations.

Official sources

Authoritative starting points for air transport regulation.