UK Act of Parliament
1982
United Kingdom
Aviation Security Act 1982
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
38 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide · 2 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
12 of 38 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 9 carry different penalties and 17 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 25
- Responsible Person 2
- Occupier 2
- Trader 1
- Director or Officer 1
Plus 7 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Supporting — topic alignment
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
Responsible Persons also bound by 56 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- MH(CT)(S)A 2003 2003 45 duties
- Climate Change Levy (General) Regulations 2001 2001 24 duties
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England/Wales comparison) 2005 22 duties
- The Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations 1995 1995 21 duties
- The Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995 1995 16 duties
Occupiers also bound by 101 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England/Wales comparison) 2005 23 duties
- Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 2006 21 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 15 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 13 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 12 duties
Traders also bound by 219 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 952 duties
- TULRCA 1992 1992 39 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 39 duties
- Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 2013 39 duties
- The Customs (Import Duty) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 2018 33 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 224 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 75 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 63 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 46 duties
- CCBSA 2014 2014 22 duties
- CAICEA 2004 2004 18 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — Offences Against the Safety of Aircraft Etc.
Destroying, damaging or endangering safety of aircraft.
Life imprisonment- Destroy, damage or endanger the safety of an aircraft Any Person
Other acts endangering or likely to endanger safety of aircraft.
life imprisonment- Endanger aircraft safety through property damage or false information Any Person
Offences in relation to certain dangerous articles.
5 years imprisonment- Possession of dangerous articles in aircraft or at airports Any Person
Ancillary offences.
life imprisonment- Induce or assist aviation security offences abroad Any Person
Powers exercisable on suspicion of intended offence under Part I.
2 years imprisonment- Obstructing a police officer exercising aviation security powers Any Person
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 2A — Security planning for aerodromes
Functions of risk advisory groups
- Aerodrome manager must distribute and provide risk reports Any Person
Discharge of functions by risk advisory groups
- Risk advisory groups must follow national security guidance and data rules Any Person
Aerodrome security plans
- Comply with the aerodrome security plan Trader
Functions of security executive groups
- Secretary of State may request a copy of the aerodrome security plan Any Person
Objections to proposals by security executive groups
- Aviation security groups must notify and consult on plan changes Any Person
Discharge of functions by security executive groups
- Security executive groups must manage aerodrome security plans and risks Any Person
Aerodrome groups: supplemental
- Provide necessary facilities for aerodrome security and risk groups Any Person
Browse 13 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Aerodromes to which Part 2A applies
Risk advisory groups
Aerodrome security plans: duration etc.
Security executive groups
Period for establishment of aerodrome groups
Meaning of dispute about security planning
Power to refer dispute to Secretary of State
Powers of Secretary of State in relation to disputes
Dispute resolution: procedure
Dispute resolution: powers
Dispute resolution: appeals and enforcement etc.
Power to except or modify
Interpretation
Part II — Protection of Aircraft, Aerodromes and Air Navigation Installations Against Acts of Violence
Power for Secretary of State to require information.
2 years imprisonment- Fail to provide aviation security information or provide false information Occupier
Power to impose restrictions in relation to aircraft.
2 years imprisonment- Fail to comply with aviation security directions Any Person
Power to require aerodrome managers to promote searches at aerodromes.
2 years imprisonment- Failure to carry out required security searches at aerodromes Any Person
Power to require other persons to promote searches.
2 years imprisonment- Fail to carry out required security searches Any Person
General power to direct measures to be taken for purposes to which Part II applies.
2 years imprisonment- Failure to comply with aviation security directions Any Person
Review by CAA
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must review security directions and advise the Secretary of State Statutory regulator
Directions requiring national security vetting
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must manage national security vetting for aviation personnel Statutory regulator
Copies of directions etc for CAA
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must provide CAA with copies of aviation security directions Crown / Minister / Government department
Contents of enforcement notice.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must include specific timelines and measures in enforcement notices Statutory regulator
Offences relating to enforcement notices.
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with an aviation enforcement notice Any Person
Inspection of aircraft and aerodromes.
2 years imprisonment- Obstruct aviation security inspections or provide false information Occupier
Aviation security services: approved providers
2 years imprisonment- Use or provide unapproved aviation security services Any Person
Detention direction
2 years imprisonment- Fail to comply with an aircraft detention direction Any Person
False statements relating to baggage, cargo etc.
Unlimited fine- Making false statements about baggage or cargo Any Person
False statements in connection with identity documents.
Unlimited fine- Provide false information for aviation identity documents Any Person
Unauthorised presence in security restricted area.
6 months imprisonment- Unauthorised entry or presence in airport security zones Any Person
Unauthorised presence on board aircraft.
Unlimited fine- Unauthorised presence on board an aircraft Any Person
Offences relating to authorised persons.
2 years imprisonment- Obstructing or impersonating an aviation security inspector Any Person
Air cargo agents: documents
- Issue false air cargo agent documents Any Person
Duty to report certain occurrences.
2 years imprisonment- Provide false information in aviation security reports Any Person
Provision of advice and assistance to Secretary of State
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must provide security advice and assistance to the Secretary of State Statutory regulator
Annual report by Secretary of State as to notices and directions under Part II.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must report annually on aviation security notices Crown / Minister / Government department
Functions of CAA under this Part
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must perform aviation security functions and resolve duty conflicts Statutory regulator
Browse 18 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Purposes to which Part II applies.
Designation of security restricted areas.
Matters which may be included in directions under ss. 12 to 14.
Limitations on scope of directions under ss. 12 to 14.
General or urgent directions under ss. 12 and 14.
Objections to certain directions under s. 14.
Enforcement notices.
Objections to enforcement notices.
Enforcement notices: supplementary.
Operation of directions under Part II in relation to rights and duties under other laws.
Application of provisions of Part II to air navigation installations.
Air cargo agents.
Provision of advice and assistance to other persons
Power to modify functions of CAA etc relating to aviation security
Compensation in respect of certain measures taken under Part II.
Civil penalties for failure to provide information or comply with a direction
Service of documents.
Interpretation of Part II.
Part III — Policing of Aerodromes
Review and variation of police services agreements
- Relevant persons must review and may update police services agreements Responsible Person
Discharge of functions of relevant persons in relation to police services agreements
- Relevant persons must consider plans and costs when making police agreements Responsible Person
Browse 17 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Power of constable to stop and search persons, vehicles etc
Designated airports.
Consultation about policing of designated airports.
Relevant aerodromes
Police services agreements
Police services agreements: duration etc.
Exercise of police functions at relevant aerodromes.
Prevention of theft at relevant aerodromes.
Byelaws for relevant aerodromes.
Control of road traffic at relevant aerodromes.
Power to refer disputes to Secretary of State
Powers of Secretary of State in relation to disputes
Dispute resolution: procedure
Dispute resolution: powers
Dispute resolution: appeals and enforcement etc.
Supplementary orders.
Interpretation and application of Part III to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Part IV — The Aviation Security Fund
Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part V — Miscellaneous and General
Offences by bodies corporate.
2 years imprisonment- Director and officer liability for aviation security offences Director or Officer
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Schedules
Browse 3 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Provisions Relating to Compensation
Repeals
Consequential Amendments and Savings
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Moving dangerous goods guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Civil Aviation Authority
UK's aviation regulator. Responsible for aviation safety, airspace policy, economic regulation of airports, and consumer protection. Issues air operator certificates, pilot licences, …
Connected legislation
2 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (2)
Explore more
Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.