UK Act of Parliament
2012
United Kingdom
Civil Aviation Act 2012
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
29 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide · 4 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
1 of 29 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 28 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 6
- Operator 2
- Director or Officer 1
Plus 20 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 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Operators also bound by 730 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Air Operations) 2012 138 duties
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066 of 19 December 2018 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 (Text with EEA relevance) 2018 121 duties
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 of 21 June 2012 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance) (repealed) 2012 112 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 75 duties
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (Text with EEA relevance) 2016 66 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 161 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 72 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 55 duties
- The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 2018 26 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 1 — Airports
Secretary of State's general duty
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must promote airport user interests and competition Crown / Minister / Government department
Prohibition
- You must not charge for services at dominant airport areas without a license Operator
Publication of market power determinations
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must publish and notify airport operators of market power decisions Statutory regulator
Publication of operator determinations
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must publish and notify you of airport operator determinations Statutory regulator
Application for licence
- Apply for an airport operator licence Operator
Determination of appeal
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CMA must determine aviation license appeals and may issue directions Tribunal / Court
Determination of appeal: publication etc
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CMA must publish and distribute appeal decisions Statutory regulator
Urgent enforcement order: confirmation
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must confirm or revoke urgent enforcement orders Statutory regulator
Civil proceedings
- Comply with CAA enforcement orders Any Person
Procedure before imposing penalty
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must follow specific procedures before issuing a penalty Statutory regulator
Procedure after imposing penalty
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must notify and publish details after imposing a penalty Statutory regulator
Procedure before imposing penalty
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must follow specific procedures before issuing a penalty Statutory regulator
Procedure after imposing penalty
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must notify and publish details after imposing a penalty Statutory regulator
Recovering penalties
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA may recover unpaid penalties and interest as a debt Statutory regulator
Statement of policy on penalties
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must publish and follow a policy on financial penalties Statutory regulator
Review etc of airport operation services
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must monitor airport services and provide advice to the Government Statutory regulator
Publication and production of documents
- Publish and produce documents as required by the Act Any Person
Browse 60 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
CAA 's general duty
Prohibition: exemption
Dominant areas and dominant airports
Market power test
Market power determinations
Operators of areas
Operator determinations
Advance determinations
Appeals against determinations
Granting licence
Refusing to grant licence
Content and effect of licence
Licence conditions
Price control conditions
Conditions relating to CAA charges
Content and effect of licence conditions
Modifying licence conditions and licence area
Restriction on power to modify
Appeal to Competition and Markets Authority : conditions of new licences
Appeal to Competition and Markets Authority : modification of licence conditions
When appeals may be allowed
Determination of appeal: time limits
Procedure on appeals
Contravention notice
Restrictions on giving contravention notices
Enforcement order
Enforcement order: modification and revocation
Urgent enforcement order
Urgent enforcement order: modification and revocation
Penalty for contravention of licence condition
Penalty for contravention of order
Amount of penalty
Amount of penalty: fixed amount
Amount of penalty: daily amounts
Use of powers under Competition Act 1998
Appeals against orders and penalties
Revocation of licence
Appeals against revocation of licence
Power to obtain information
Enforcement of information notice
Penalty for providing false information, destroying documents etc
Appeals against penalties
Imposing penalties
Disclosing information
Functions under Part 4 of Enterprise Act 2002
Enterprise Act 2002: supplementary
Functions under Competition Act 1998
Competition Act 1998: supplementary
Power to modify CAA's competition powers
Airports
Airports: supplementary
Airport operation services
Air transport services
Joint operators of areas
Connected persons
Minor definitions and index
Regulations
Sending documents
Minor, consequential and transitional provision
Crown application
Part 2 — Other aviation matters
Information for benefit of users of air transport services
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must publish information and advice to help air transport users Statutory regulator
Environmental information
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must publish environmental information and advice on civil aviation Statutory regulator
Procedure before imposing penalty
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must provide notice and consult before imposing a penalty Statutory regulator
Procedure after imposing penalty
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must provide formal notice after imposing a penalty Statutory regulator
Recovering penalties
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA may recover unpaid penalties and interest as a debt Statutory regulator
Statement of policy
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CAA must publish and follow a policy on information and penalties Statutory regulator
CAA charges
Amended 1 timeCAA efficiency
Amended 1 timeCivil sanctions
Amended 1 timeRegulatory burdens
Amended 1 timeBrowse 20 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Aviation security directions etc
Approved providers of aviation security services
Advice and assistance in connection with aviation security
Power to modify functions of CAA etc relating to aviation security
Transfer schemes
Power to obtain information
Enforcement of information notice
Penalty for providing false information, destroying documents etc
Appeals
Minor definitions
Regulation of provision of flight accommodation
CAA membership
Non-executive members of CAA
Executive members of CAA
CAA's air navigation functions
Transitional and saving provision
Criminal proceedings
Disclosure of medical information
Dangerous flying
Offences under Civil Aviation Act 1982
Part 3 — Final provisions
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Power to make consequential and transitional provision
Financial provision
Commencement
Extent
Channel Islands, Isle of Man and British overseas territories
Short title
Schedules
Appeals against determinations
- Adhere to deadlines for appealing airport market power determinations Any Person
Appeals against orders and penalties
- Appeal against CAA enforcement orders or penalties Any Person
Appeals against revocation of licence
- Appeal a decision to revoke your aviation licence Any Person
Appeals against penalties: information
- Appeal a CAA information penalty to the Competition Appeal Tribunal Any Person
Restrictions on disclosing information
2 years imprisonment- Unlawfully disclosing restricted business information Director or Officer
Appeals against penalties
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Tribunal must determine appeals against CAA penalties Tribunal / Court
Browse 154 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
(1) The following may appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal...
(1) An appeal under paragraph 1 against a determination must...
(1) The Competition Appeal Tribunal may allow an appeal under...
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) the CAA publishes a...
(1) When deciding an appeal under paragraph 1 (including giving...
(1) An appeal lies to the appropriate court on a...
Appeals under sections 24 and 25
(1) An application for permission to appeal under section 24...
(1) This paragraph applies if— (a) an application is made...
(1) The functions of the Competition and Markets Authority in...
(1) Where an application for permission to appeal against a...
(1) This paragraph applies if— (a) an application is made...
(1) The functions of the Competition and Markets Authority in...
(1) An authorised member of the Competition and Markets Authority...
(1) This paragraph applies where the CAA wishes to make...
Schedule 2 para.17
(1) The Chairman may select a member of the Competition...
(1) This paragraph applies where an application for permission to...
(1) The decision of the Competition and Markets Authority on...
(1) The Competition and Markets Authority may disregard matters raised...
(1) This paragraph applies where the Competition and Markets Authority...
(1) This paragraph applies where the Competition and Markets Authority...
(1) This paragraph applies to— (a) an authorised member of...
(1) The Competition and Markets Authority may by notice require...
(1) For the purposes of this Schedule the following persons...
(1) The Competition and Markets Authority may by notice require...
Where permission to appeal is granted under paragraph 2, the...
(1) This paragraph applies where a person (“P”)—
(1) A person who intentionally alters, suppresses or destroys a...
(1) This paragraph applies where the CAA wishes to make...
(1) An application under paragraph 1 for permission to appeal...
(1) The CMA Board may make rules regulating the conduct...
(1) Where an application under this Schedule or an appeal...
The Secretary of State may by regulations modify any period...
Where the CAA or the Competition and Markets Authority or...
(1) In this Schedule— “appeal” means an appeal under section...
(1) Where an application is made under paragraph 1 for...
(1) The decision of the Competition and Markets Authority on...
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where— (a) the CAA decides to...
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where— (a) the CAA decides under...
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where— (a) the CAA decides under...
(1) Where an application is made for permission to appeal...
(1) A person may appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal...
(1) A person may appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal...
(1) A person may appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal...
(1) The Competition Appeal Tribunal may allow an appeal under...
(1) An appeal lies to the appropriate court on a...
(1) A person may appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal...
(1) An appeal under paragraph 1 must be made by...
(1) The Competition Appeal Tribunal may allow an appeal under...
(1) An appeal lies to the appropriate court on a...
(1) A person may appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal...
(1) The Competition Appeal Tribunal may allow an appeal under...
(1) An appeal lies to the appropriate court on a...
(1) This paragraph applies to information if—
Paragraph 1(2) does not apply to a disclosure made with...
Paragraph 1(2) does not apply to information that has been...
(1) Paragraph 1(2) does not apply where information is disclosed—...
Paragraph 1(2) does not apply where information is disclosed—
The Secretary of State may by regulations amend paragraph 4...
A person who discloses information in contravention of paragraph 1(2)...
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies if an offence under this Schedule...
Index of defined expressions
This Table lists expressions defined in Part 1 of this...
Status of airport operators as statutory undertakers etc
The Airports Act 1986 is amended as follows.
The amendments in paragraphs 7 to 9 are without prejudice...
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision...
For section 57 (scope of Part 5: status of certain...
(1) Section 79 (orders and regulations) is amended as follows....
In Schedule 4 to the Local Transport Act 2008, omit...
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision...
The Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 is amended as follows....
In Article 2(2) (interpretation), for the definition of “regulated airport”...
In Part 2 (powers in relation to land exercisable in...
(1) Article 70 (regulations and orders) is amended as follows....
Regulation of operators of dominant airports: consequential provision
Omit section 93B (false or misleading information provided to Competition...
In section 235(3) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999...
In section 105(6) of the Utilities Act 2000 (exceptions from...
In paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 9 to the Transport Act...
The Enterprise Act 2002 is amended as follows.
(1) Section 168 (regulated markets) is amended as follows.
In Schedule 15 (enactments conferring functions for the purposes of...
(1) Schedule 1 to the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (category...
The following repeals and revocations are consequential on section 76(1)...
The Airports Act 1986 is amended as follows.
(1) Section 74 (restriction on disclosure of information) is amended...
(1) Section 82 (general interpretation) is amended as follows.
In section 174(3) of the Water Act 1989 (exceptions from...
In Part 2 of Schedule 15 to the Water Industry...
In Part 2 of Schedule 24 to the Water Resources...
In section 145(3) of the Railways Act 1993 (exceptions from...
In paragraph 19A of Schedule 7 to the Competition Act...
Regulation of operators of dominant airports: transitional provision
In this Part of this Schedule— “the 1986 Act” means...
(1) This paragraph applies where, immediately before the commencement day,...
Paragraphs 9 and 10 do not apply where the airport...
Nothing in this Act affects any rights or liabilities accruing...
In paragraphs 9 to 11, “airport” has the same meaning...
In paragraphs 15 to 17 “the commencement day” means the...
(1) This paragraph applies where, in relation to an airport,...
(1) This paragraph applies where, immediately before the commencement day,...
Nothing in this Act affects any rights or liabilities accruing...
In paragraphs 15 to 17, “airport” has the same meaning...
(1) This paragraph applies where, immediately before the commencement day,...
(1) This paragraph applies where, immediately before the commencement day,...
(1) In section 7(5) (disapplication of CAA's duty to make...
(1) During the interim period, an order may not be...
(1) This paragraph applies where an airport as defined in...
The power under section 108 may not be used—
In paragraphs 9 to 12 “the commencement day” means the...
(1) This paragraph applies where, in relation to an airport,...
Aviation security directions etc: minor and consequential amendments
Part 1 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (administration) is...
In section 12(3) (power to impose restrictions in relation to...
In section 15(2) (matters which may be included in directions...
(1) After section 17 insert— Copies of directions etc for...
(1) Section 18A (enforcement notices) is amended as follows.
(1) Section 18D (objections to enforcement notices) is amended as...
(1) Section 20B (detention directions) is amended as follows.
In section 21 (application of provisions to air navigation installations),...
(1) Section 21G (duty to report certain occurrences) is amended...
The offences under section 11 of the Aviation Security Act...
In section 11 (charges by CAA) at the end insert—...
In section 20 (supplementary provisions with respect to functions of...
Part 2 of the Aviation Security Act 1982 (protection of...
For the heading before section 11 substitute “ Information ”....
(1) Section 11 (power to require information) is amended as...
Before section 11A insert— “ Designation of security restricted areas...
(1) Section 11A (designation of security restricted area) is amended...
Before section 12 insert— “ Directions ”.
Aviation security: further provision about transfer schemes
(1) The property, rights and liabilities that may be transferred...
(1) This paragraph has effect where rights, powers, duties and...
(1) This paragraph has effect where— (a) a transfer scheme...
(1) If a transfer scheme contains provision for the transfer...
(1) This Schedule applies with the following modifications in relation...
A certificate issued by the Secretary of State that any...
A transfer under a transfer scheme does not affect the...
(1) A transfer scheme may provide for things done by...
(1) A person may appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal...
(1) The Competition Appeal Tribunal may allow an appeal under...
(1) An appeal lies to the appropriate court on a...
CAA membership: transitional and saving provision
In this Schedule “the commencement day” means the day after...
(1) This paragraph applies where a person—
If the notice given to a person under paragraph 2(1)(b)...
(1) This paragraph applies where a person—
The person who is the chairman of the CAA immediately...
(1) This paragraph applies where, before the commencement day, the...
(1) This paragraph applies where, before the commencement day, the...
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) a nomination of a...
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) a nomination of a...
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Responsibilities of ERCP | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Overview of economic regulation of Heathrow Airport | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Heathrow licence and monitoring | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Consumer Challenge Board (CCB) | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Overview of economic regulation of Gatwick Airport | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Gatwick licence and monitoring | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Overview of competition policy | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Airport market power assessment | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Moving dangerous goods guidance (opens in a new tab) from DfT 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
4 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (4)
- The Civil Aviation (Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility) Regulations 2014 2014
- The Civil Aviation Act 2012 (Commencement No. 1, Transitional, Transitory and Saving Provisions) Order 2013 2013
- The Civil Aviation Act 2012 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2014 2014
- The Civil Aviation Act 2012 (Regulation of Operators of Dominant Airports) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2013 2013
Explore more
Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.