Aviation Security Act 1982
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- DVSA, CAA, MCA, National Highways, ORR
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 29 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
What you must do
29 compliance obligations under this legislation — 14 can result in imprisonment.
Management duties 7
Comply with the aerodrome security plan
If your business is a manager, aircraft operator, tenant, or any other person who uses or works at an aerodrome, you must follow the aerodromeâs security plan. This means carrying out any security measures set out for you, following monitoring steps, paying any costâshare contributions and providing any facilities the plan requires. The plan must be kept upâtoâdate and you must keep evidence that you are complying.
Consider guidance and keep information confidential when acting as a risk advisory group member
If you sit on the aerodrome risk advisory group, you must take into account any directions from the regulator, the latest national threat assessment and any relevant guidance from the Secretary of State when you carry out your duties. You also must not share any information you receive in that role, except when it is needed to do your job or to develop and implement the aerodrome security plan.
Consider required matters when setting aerodrome police service agreements
If you run or manage an aerodrome, you must take into account the aerodrome security plan, any information from the security executive group, how policing costs will be shared, and any guidance from the Secretary of State when you negotiate or review a police services agreement. This ensures the agreement reflects security needs and cost responsibilities.
Maintain and provide the aerodrome security plan
If you run an aerodrome, you must set up a security executive group that decides what goes into the aerodrome security plan, keeps the plan under regular review and only makes changes when all members agree (unless a member unreasonably fails to respond). You also have to hand a copy of the plan to the Secretary of State whenever they ask for it.
Object to aerodrome security plan proposals within 30 days
If you are a person affected by an aerodrome security plan (for example an airport operator or security provider), the security executive group must tell you when they want to add or change a provision that would make you take a security measure, monitor something, or pay a fee. You have 30 days to raise an objection and explain why you disagree. If you miss the deadline, the proposal can go ahead.
Provide accommodation and facilities for aerodrome advisory and security groups
If you run or manage an aerodrome you must make sure that the risk advisory group and the security executive group have suitable rooms, equipment and other facilities they need to carry out their work. This means arranging appropriate space, furniture, IT and any other resources the groups require, and keeping them available on an ongoing basis.
Review and update police services agreement
If your business is one of the ârelevant personsâ under the Aviation Security Act â for example an airport or aerodrome operator â you must regularly check the police services agreement you have with the police and, if necessary, amend it. This keeps the security arrangements upâtoâdate and ensures you continue to meet any new requirements.
Offences and prohibitions 20
Corporate liability for aviation security offences
Unlimited fineIf your company commits an offence under the Aviation Security Act and a director, manager, secretary or another senior officer either consented, helped, or was negligent, both the individual and the company can be prosecuted. The company can be prosecuted and punished in the same way as an individual offender. Penalties will be those that apply to the underlying aviation security offence, which can include unlimited fines and imprisonment.
Damage or interfere with property that endangers aircraft safety
life imprisonment imprisonmentIf you intentionally destroy, damage or interfere with any property used for air navigation facilities (including equipment, buildings or ships) where that act could endanger the safety of an aircraft in flight, you commit an offence. It also covers deliberately communicating false or misleading information that could endanger aircraft safety. A conviction on indictment can lead to a life sentence in prison.
Destroy, damage or endanger aircraft safety
life imprisonmentIf anyone intentionally destroys, seriously damages, places a bombâlike device on, or commits violence on an aircraft that could endanger its flight, they commit a criminal offence. The offence applies whether it happens in the UK or abroad, and regardless of the aircraftâs registration, except for military, customs or police aircraft in limited circumstances. On conviction in the Crown Court the offender faces a sentence of life imprisonment.
Enter or remain in a securityârestricted area without permission
Unlimited fineIf a person goes onto, or stays in, a securityârestricted part of an aerodrome or airânavigation installation after being asked to leave â and the area is clearly marked â they are committing an offence. The offence applies unless they have lawful authority or a reasonable excuse. On conviction in the magistratesâ court they face an unlimited fine.
Fail to comply with a detention direction
2 years imprisonmentIf an authorised person (such as the CAA) issues a written detention direction telling an aircraft not to fly, the aircraft operator â or any other person â must obey it. Ignoring the direction or actively stopping the authorised person from carrying out their powers is a criminal offence. Conviction can result in an unlimited fine and/or up to two yearsâ imprisonment, tried either in the Magistratesâ Court or the Crown Court.
Fail to comply with a direction to carry out aerodrome searches
2 years imprisonmentIf the Secretary of State issues a written direction requiring the aerodrome manager (or another appointed person) to carry out specified security searches, you must use your best endeavours to ensure those searches are done. Failing to follow the direction without a reasonable excuse, or deliberately obstructing the search, is a criminal offence. On conviction you could be fined an unlimited amount and/or jailed for up to two years.
Fail to comply with a direction to promote security searches
2 years imprisonmentIf your business occupies land at an aerodrome or has access to a securityârestricted area and the Secretary of State gives you a written direction to ensure specified security searches are carried out, you must use your best endeavours to make sure those searches happen. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. On conviction you can be fined (unlimited amount) or sentenced to up to two years in prison, and you may face a daily fine of up to ÂŁ100 for each day the breach continues after conviction.
Fail to comply with an enforcement notice
Unlimited fineIf your business does not follow an enforcement notice (for example, a notice requiring a change to your premises or operations) and you have no reasonable excuse, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you face an unlimited fine â either in the magistratesâ court or, if the case is sent to Crown Court, the same unlimited fine.
Fail to comply with a security direction
2 years imprisonmentIf you operate aircraft, manage an aerodrome, occupy land at an aerodrome, or have access to a securityârestricted area, you may be given a written direction by the Secretary of State telling you what security measures to put in place. Failing to follow that direction without a reasonable excuse, or deliberately interfering with works carried out under the direction, is a criminal offence. On conviction you can be fined an unlimited amount and/or sentenced to up to two years in prison.
Fail to comply with a security direction for aircraft or aerodrome
2 years imprisonmentIf you run an aircraft (or are a manager of an aerodrome) and you ignore a written direction from the Secretary of State â for example refusing to carry out required searches, not making mandated modifications, or allowing the aircraft or aerodrome to be used contrary to the direction â you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you face an unlimited fine and/or up to two yearsâ imprisonment, and if you keep breaching the direction after conviction you will be fined up to ÂŁ100 for each day the breach continues.
Fail to comply with a security information notice
2 years imprisonmentIf you are an aircraft operator, aerodrome manager, land occupier or anyone with access to a securityârestricted area and you receive a written notice from the Secretary of State or the CAA requiring you to provide information, you must supply that information within the timeâlimit and keep it upâtoâdate. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse, or giving a false material statement, is a criminal offence. On conviction you face an unlimited fine and, if tried on indictment, up to two yearsâ imprisonment.
Fail to provide or give false information to aviation security inspector
2 years imprisonmentIf you are an aircraft operator, aerodrome manager or land occupier and you refuse, neglect or give false information when an authorised aviation security inspector asks for it, you commit a criminal offence. Conviction can result in an unlimited fine, and if tried in the Crown Court you could also face up to two yearsâ imprisonment.
Give false statement about baggage or cargo to aviation security officials
Unlimited fineIf you answer a question about baggage, cargo or stores intended for a UK civil aircraft with a statement you know is false, or you recklessly make a false statement, and the question is asked by an aerodrome manager, aircraft operator, a person with control of a securityârestricted area, or an approved airâcargo agent, you commit an offence. On conviction in the magistrates' court you face an unlimited fine. No prison term is provided for this offence.
Issue false air cargo agent documents
6 months imprisonmentIf you produce a document that looks like it was issued by an approved air cargo agent, and you do so with the intention to deceive, you are committing an offence. On conviction in a magistrates' court you could be sentenced to up to six months in prison, fined an unlimited amount, or both. This applies to any person or business that creates such misleading documents.
Make false statement in required aviation security report
2 years imprisonmentIf your business is required by aviation security regulations to report an incident and you deliberately or recklessly give false information in that report, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you can be fined (unlimited on indictment) and, if tried in the Crown Court, face up to two yearsâ imprisonment. The offence can also be tried in the Magistrates' Court (summary) where the fine is limited to the statutory maximum.
Make false statements for aviation identity documents
Unlimited fineIf you knowingly or recklessly lie about a material fact when applying for, or while holding, an identity document required by aviation authorities (such as security badges or pilot licences) and give that false statement to a manager of an aerodrome, an air navigation authority, an aircraft operator, a person with access to a securityârestricted area, or an approved air cargo agent, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction in the magistratesâ court you face an unlimited fine. There is no custodial sentence attached to this offence.
Obstruct constable exercising aviation security powers
2 years imprisonmentIf a person deliberately blocks a police officer from stopping, removing or arresting someone who is suspected of planning an offence on an aircraft, they commit a criminal offence. On summary conviction the offender faces an unlimited fine; on indictment they can be sentenced to up to two years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.
Obstruct or impersonate an authorised security person
2 years imprisonmentIf you intentionally block an authorised security officer from carrying out their duties, or you falsely claim to be an authorised officer, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you can be fined without any statutory cap, and for the obstruction offence you also face up to two yearsâ imprisonment.
Possess dangerous article on aircraft or aerodrome without authority
5 years imprisonmentIf you have a firearm, explosive or any article intended to cause injury or damage on a UKâregistered aircraft, any aircraft over the UK, an aerodrome or an air navigation installation, and you do not have lawful authority or a reasonable excuse, you commit an offence. On conviction you may be fined (potentially unlimited) and/or sent to prison â up to three months for a summary case or up to five years for a Crown Court case.
Unauthorised presence on board aircraft
Unlimited fineYou must not get onto or stay on an aircraft at a UK aerodrome unless you have the operatorâs permission, or you must leave when asked to do so. Doing either without a lawful reason is a criminal offence. On conviction in the magistrates' court you face an unlimited fine.
Record keeping 1
Record decisions on aerodrome riskâreport recommendations
If you run the security executive group for an airport, you must look at the aerodrome risk report (and any government directions, threat assessments and guidance), decide whether to accept each recommendation, and write down the decision and why it was made. This record has to be added to your aerodrome security plan, and any security information you receive must be kept confidential unless itâs needed for the security plan or its implementation.
Reporting and filing 1
Prepare, update and share aerodrome security risk reports
If your aerodrome is required to have a risk advisory group, that group must produce a written risk report within two months of being set up. The report must assess each security threat, judge how well current measures work and recommend any needed actions. The report must be kept upâdate and a copy must be given to the aerodrome manager (who then passes it to the security executive group and to the Secretary of State if asked).
Penalties for non-compliance
20 penalties under this legislation. 14 can result in imprisonment. 18 carry an unlimited fine.
Fail to comply with a detention direction
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Fail to comply with a direction to carry out aerodrome searches
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Fail to comply with a direction to promote security searches
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Fail to comply with a security direction
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Fail to comply with a security direction for aircraft or aerodrome
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Fail to comply with a security information notice
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Fail to provide or give false information to aviation security inspector
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Issue false air cargo agent documents
Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment
Make false statement in required aviation security report
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Obstruct constable exercising aviation security powers
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Obstruct or impersonate an authorised security person
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Possess dangerous article on aircraft or aerodrome without authority
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Damage or interfere with property that endangers aircraft safety
life imprisonment imprisonment
Destroy, damage or endanger aircraft safety
life imprisonment
Corporate liability for aviation security offences
Unlimited fine
Enter or remain in a securityârestricted area without permission
Unlimited fine
Fail to comply with an enforcement notice
Unlimited fine
Give false statement about baggage or cargo to aviation security officials
Unlimited fine
Make false statements for aviation identity documents
Unlimited fine
Unauthorised presence on board aircraft
Unlimited fine
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Sections and provisions
102 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 16
- s.14A Review by CAA The CAA
- s.16A Directions requiring national security vetting of sections 12
- s.17A Copies of directions etc for CAA
- s.18B Contents of enforcement notice. and the notice
- s.21H Provision of advice and assistance to Secretary of State
- s.23A Functions of CAA under this Part
- s.23 Annual report by Secretary of State as to notices and directions under Part II. such report
- s.24AC Functions of risk advisory groups threat
- s.24AK Aerodrome groups: supplemental
- s.24AD Discharge of functions by risk advisory groups
- s.24AE Aerodrome security plans relevant person is
- s.24AH Functions of security executive groups
- s.24AJ Discharge of functions by security executive groups
- s.24AI Objections to proposals by security executive groups
- s.25E Discharge of functions of relevant persons in relation to police services agreements
- s.25D Review and variation of police services agreements
Offences and penalties 23
- s.2 Destroying, damaging or endangering safety of aircraft.
- s.3 Other acts endangering or likely to endanger safety of aircraft.
- s.4 Offences in relation to certain dangerous articles.
- s.6 Ancillary offences.
- s.7 Powers exercisable on suspicion of intended offence under Part I.
- s.8 Prosecution of offences and proceedings.
- s.11 Power for Secretary of State to require information.
- s.12 Power to impose restrictions in relation to aircraft.
- s.13 Power to require aerodrome managers to promote searches at aerodromes.
- s.13A Power to require other persons to promote searches.
- s.14 General power to direct measures to be taken for purposes to which Part II applies.
- s.18C Offences relating to enforcement notices.
- s.20B Detention direction
- s.20A Aviation security services: approved providers
- s.20 Inspection of aircraft and aerodromes.
- s.21A False statements relating to baggage, cargo etc.
- s.21FA Air cargo agents: documents
- s.21B False statements in connection with identity documents.
- s.21E Offences relating to authorised persons.
- s.21D Unauthorised presence on board aircraft.
- ... and 3 more offences and penalties
Powers 22
- s.11A Designation of security restricted areas.
- s.21J Power to modify functions of CAA etc relating to aviation security
- s.21F Air cargo agents.
- s.21I Provision of advice and assistance to other persons
- s.22A Civil penalties for failure to provide information or comply with a direction
- s.24AS Power to except or modify
- s.24AA Aerodromes to which Part 2A applies
- s.24AB Risk advisory groups
- s.24AF Aerodrome security plans: duration etc.
- s.24AG Security executive groups
- s.24AN Power to refer dispute to Secretary of State
- s.24AO Powers of Secretary of State in relation to disputes
- s.24AP Dispute resolution: procedure
- s.25AA Relevant aerodromes
- s.28 Byelaws for relevant aerodromes.
- s.29D Dispute resolution: powers
- s.29C Dispute resolution: procedure
- s.29B Powers of Secretary of State in relation to disputes
- s.32 The Aviation Security Fund.
- s.33 Contributions to the Fund.
- ... and 2 more powers
Definitions 12
- s.10 Purposes to which Part II applies.
- s.18A Enforcement notices.
- s.22 Compensation in respect of certain measures taken under Part II.
- s.24 Service of documents. working day
- s.24A Interpretation of Part II. authorised person the CAA Framework Regulation
- s.24B Power of constable to stop and search persons, vehicles etc criminal conduct
- s.24AT Interpretation aerodrome security plan
- s.24AM Meaning of dispute about security planning
- s.27 Prevention of theft at relevant aerodromes.
- s.29A Power to refer disputes to Secretary of State
- s.31 Interpretation and application of Part III to Scotland and Northern Ireland. immigration officer dispute about the policing of a relevant aerodrome police services agreement
- s.40 Consequential amendments, savings and repeals.
Exemptions 10
- s.1 Hijacking.
- s.16 Limitations on scope of directions under ss. 12 to 14.
- s.17 General or urgent directions under ss. 12 and 14.
- s.18E Enforcement notices: supplementary.
- s.21 Application of provisions of Part II to air navigation installations.
- s.24AQ Dispute resolution: powers
- s.25C Police services agreements: duration etc.
- s.25B Police services agreements
- s.26 Exercise of police functions at relevant aerodromes.
- s.38 Interpretation etc.