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
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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.
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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".
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Confirm you have covered everything
Finish with the air transport compliance checklist to confirm your obligations are met before you begin commercial operations.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Browse UK legislation (opens in a new tab) legislation.gov.ukOfficial guidance
CAA: commercial industry (opens in a new tab)
www.caa.co.uk
HSE: air transport (opens in a new tab)
HSE
The UK aviation system | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab)
CAA
HSE: transport and logistics (opens in a new tab)
HSE
How offshore helicopter travel is regulated (revised) (opens in a new tab)
HSE