UK Act of Parliament 1982 United Kingdom

Aviation Security Act 1982

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to aviation security.

Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Enforced by
CAA
Status
In Force
Penalty ceiling
Imprisonment 12 of 39 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 10 carry different penalties and 17 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person26 Responsible Person2 Occupier2 Trader1 Director or Officer1

Plus 7 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Responsible Person — also bound by 108 other Acts
MH(CT)(S)A 2003 30 duties
Occupier — also bound by 235 other Acts
Highways Act 1980 23 duties
Trader — also bound by 825 other Acts
Companies Act 2006 243 duties
Companies Act 1985 85 duties
Director or Officer — also bound by 429 other Acts
Companies Act 2006 126 duties

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Offences Against the Safety of Aircraft Etc.

5 of 9 sections shown
s.002 Destroying, damaging or endangering safety of aircraft. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Destroy, damage or endanger the safety of an aircraftAny Person
s.003 Other acts endangering or likely to endanger safety of aircraft. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Endanger aircraft safety through property damage or false informationAny Person
s.004 Offences in relation to certain dangerous articles. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Possession of dangerous articles in aircraft or at airportsAny Person
s.006 Ancillary offences. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Induce or assist aviation security offences abroadAny Person
s.007 Powers exercisable on suspicion of intended offence under Part I. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Obstructing a police officer exercising aviation security powersAny Person
4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.001 Hijacking. (opens in a new tab)
s.005 Jurisdiction of courts in respect of air piracy. (opens in a new tab)
s.008 Prosecution of offences and proceedings. (opens in a new tab)
s.009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (opens in a new tab)
Part 2

Security planning for aerodromes

7 of 20 sections shown
s.024 Functions of risk advisory groups Regulated
  • Aerodrome manager must distribute and provide risk reportsAny Person
s.024 Discharge of functions by risk advisory groups Regulated
  • Risk advisory groups must follow national security guidance and data rulesAny Person
s.024 Aerodrome security plans Regulated
  • Comply with the aerodrome security planTrader
s.024 Functions of security executive groups Regulated
  • Secretary of State may request a copy of the aerodrome security planAny Person
s.024 Objections to proposals by security executive groups Regulated
  • Aviation security groups must notify and consult on plan changesAny Person
s.024 Discharge of functions by security executive groups Regulated
  • Security executive groups must manage aerodrome security plans and risksAny Person
s.024 Aerodrome groups: supplemental Regulated
  • Provide necessary facilities for aerodrome security and risk groupsAny Person
13 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.024 Aerodromes to which Part 2A applies
s.024 Risk advisory groups
s.024 Aerodrome security plans: duration etc.
s.024 Security executive groups
s.024 Period for establishment of aerodrome groups
s.024 Meaning of dispute about security planning
s.024 Power to refer dispute to Secretary of State
s.024 Powers of Secretary of State in relation to disputes
s.024 Dispute resolution: procedure
s.024 Dispute resolution: powers
s.024 Dispute resolution: appeals and enforcement etc.
s.024 Power to except or modify
s.024 Interpretation
Part 2

Protection of Aircraft, Aerodromes and Air Navigation Installations Against Acts of Violence

23 of 41 sections shown
s.011 Power for Secretary of State to require information. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Fail to provide aviation security information or provide false informationOccupier
s.012 Power to impose restrictions in relation to aircraft. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Fail to comply with aviation security directionsAny Person
s.013 Power to require aerodrome managers to promote searches at aerodromes. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Failure to carry out required security searches at aerodromesAny Person
s.013 Power to require other persons to promote searches. Imprisonment
  • Fail to carry out required security searchesAny Person
s.014 General power to direct measures to be taken for purposes to which Part II applies. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Failure to comply with aviation security directionsAny Person
s.014 Review by CAA Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CAA must review security directions and advise the Secretary of StateStatutory regulator
s.016 Directions requiring national security vetting Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CAA must manage national security vetting for aviation personnelStatutory regulator
s.017 Copies of directions etc for CAA Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must provide CAA with copies of aviation security directionsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.018 Contents of enforcement notice. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CAA must include specific timelines and measures in enforcement noticesStatutory regulator
s.018 Offences relating to enforcement notices. Prosecution
  • Fail to comply with an aviation enforcement noticeAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.020 Inspection of aircraft and aerodromes. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Obstruct aviation security inspections or provide false informationOccupier
s.020 Aviation security services: approved providers Imprisonment
  • Use or provide unapproved aviation security servicesAny Person
s.020 Detention direction Imprisonment
  • Fail to comply with an aircraft detention directionAny Person
s.021 False statements relating to baggage, cargo etc. Prosecution
  • Making false statements about baggage or cargoAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.021 False statements in connection with identity documents. Prosecution
  • Provide false information for aviation identity documentsAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.021 Unauthorised presence in security restricted area. Prosecution
  • Unauthorised entry or presence in airport security zonesAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.021 Unauthorised presence on board aircraft. Prosecution
  • Unauthorised presence on board an aircraftAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.021 Offences relating to authorised persons. Imprisonment
  • Obstructing or impersonating an aviation security inspectorAny Person
s.021 Air cargo agents: documents Imprisonment
  • Issue false air cargo agent documentsAny Person
s.021 Duty to report certain occurrences. Imprisonment
  • Provide false information in aviation security reportsAny Person
s.021 Provision of advice and assistance to Secretary of State Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CAA must provide security advice and assistance to the Secretary of StateStatutory regulator
s.023 Annual report by Secretary of State as to notices and directions under Part II. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must report annually on aviation security noticesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.023 Functions of CAA under this Part Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • CAA must perform aviation security functions and resolve duty conflictsStatutory regulator
18 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.010 Purposes to which Part II applies. (opens in a new tab)
s.011 Designation of security restricted areas.
s.015 Matters which may be included in directions under ss. 12 to 14. (opens in a new tab)
s.016 Limitations on scope of directions under ss. 12 to 14. (opens in a new tab)
s.017 General or urgent directions under ss. 12 and 14. (opens in a new tab)
s.018 Objections to certain directions under s. 14. (opens in a new tab)
s.018 Enforcement notices.
s.018 Objections to enforcement notices.
s.018 Enforcement notices: supplementary.
s.019 Operation of directions under Part II in relation to rights and duties under other laws. (opens in a new tab)
s.021 Application of provisions of Part II to air navigation installations. (opens in a new tab)
s.021 Air cargo agents.
s.021 Provision of advice and assistance to other persons
s.021 Power to modify functions of CAA etc relating to aviation security
s.022 Compensation in respect of certain measures taken under Part II. (opens in a new tab)
s.022 Civil penalties for failure to provide information or comply with a direction
s.024 Service of documents. (opens in a new tab)
s.024 Interpretation of Part II.
Part 3

Policing of Aerodromes

3 of 19 sections shown
s.025 Review and variation of police services agreements Regulated
  • Relevant persons must review and may update police services agreementsResponsible Person
s.025 Discharge of functions of relevant persons in relation to police services agreements Regulated
  • Relevant persons must consider plans and costs when making police agreementsResponsible Person
s.026 Exercise of police functions at relevant aerodromes. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Pay for policing and provide police facilities at your aerodromeAny Person
16 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.024 Power of constable to stop and search persons, vehicles etc
s.025 Designated airports. (opens in a new tab)
s.025 Consultation about policing of designated airports.
s.025 Relevant aerodromes
s.025 Police services agreements
s.025 Police services agreements: duration etc.
s.027 Prevention of theft at relevant aerodromes. (opens in a new tab)
s.028 Byelaws for relevant aerodromes. (opens in a new tab)
s.029 Control of road traffic at relevant aerodromes. (opens in a new tab)
s.029 Power to refer disputes to Secretary of State
s.029 Powers of Secretary of State in relation to disputes
s.029 Dispute resolution: procedure
s.029 Dispute resolution: powers
s.029 Dispute resolution: appeals and enforcement etc.
s.030 Supplementary orders. (opens in a new tab)
s.031 Interpretation and application of Part III to Scotland and Northern Ireland. (opens in a new tab)
Part 4

The Aviation Security Fund

0 of 5 sections shown
5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.032 The Aviation Security Fund. (opens in a new tab)
s.033 Contributions to the Fund. (opens in a new tab)
s.034 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (opens in a new tab)
s.035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (opens in a new tab)
s.036 Power to wind up the fund. (opens in a new tab)
Part 5

Miscellaneous and General

1 of 5 sections shown
s.037 Offences by bodies corporate. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Director and officer liability for aviation security offencesDirector or Officer
4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.038 Interpretation etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.039 Extension of Act outside United Kingdom. (opens in a new tab)
s.040 Consequential amendments, savings and repeals. (opens in a new tab)
s.041 Short title and commencement. (opens in a new tab)
Schedules

Schedules

0 of 21 shown
21 other schedules
s.001 Provisions Relating to Compensation (opens in a new tab)
s.003 Repeals (opens in a new tab)
s.sch001 This Schedule applies to compensation under section 22 of this...
s.sch001 In the application of this Schedule to Northern Ireland—
s.sch001 In this Schedule mortgage includes any charge or lien on...
s.sch001 No compensation to which this Schedule applies shall be payable...
s.sch001 In relation to any measures taken by any person on...
s.sch001 In calculating value for any of the purposes of the...
s.sch001 Regulations made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument...
s.sch001 A statutory instrument containing regulations made under paragraph 5 of...
s.sch001 Any dispute arising under the relevant section or under this...
s.sch001 Provisions Relating to Compensation
s.sch001 In the application of this Schedule to Scotland—
s.sch002 Consequential Amendments and Savings (opens in a new tab)
s.sch002 Where any period of time specified in or for the...
s.sch002 This Act (and, in particular, the following provisions of this...
s.sch002 Section 3 of the Visiting Forces Act 1952, as amended...
s.sch002 Where before the commencement of this Act any land, building...
s.sch002 In paragraph 11 of Schedule 1 to the Criminal Jurisdiction...
s.sch002 For paragraphs 18 and 19 of Schedule 1 to the...
s.sch002 Until the commencement of the British Nationality Act 1981 section...

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