Regulator profile
CAA
Civil Aviation Authority
Enforcement Regulator4 areas of regulation · 41 laws enforced · UK-wide
What CAA does
UK's aviation regulator. Responsible for aviation safety, airspace policy, economic regulation of airports, and consumer protection. Issues air operator certificates, pilot licences, and drone operator permissions. Regulates unmanned aircraft (drones) under the Air Navigation Order.
Additional information
Drone regulation via the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) team. Commercial drone operators need operator ID and flyer ID.
Contact CAA
Types of regulation
Legal framework
Legislation that CAA directly enforces.
Primary legislation
- Aviation Security Act 1982 Act 1982
- Civil Aviation Act 1982 Act 1982
- Airports Act 1986 Act 1986
- Outer Space Act 1986 Act 1986
- Transport Act 2000 Act 2000
- Aviation (Offences) Act 2003 Act 2003
- Civil Aviation Act 2012 Act 2012
- Air Travel Organisers' Licensing Act 2017 Act 2017
- Space Industry Act 2018 Act 2018
- ATMUA 2021 Act 2021
Secondary legislation
- The Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1996 UK Statutory Instrument 1996
- Airports (Groundhandling) Regulations 1997 UK Statutory Instrument 1997
- Aeroplane Noise Regulations 1999 UK Statutory Instrument 1999
- Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 2002 UK Statutory Instrument 2002
- Fines (Deductions from Income Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 UK Statutory Instrument 2003
- The Airport Charges Regulations 2011 UK Statutory Instrument 2011
- The Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) Regulations 2012 UK Statutory Instrument 2012
- The Air Navigation (Single European Sky) (Penalties) (Amendment) Order 2013 UK Statutory Instrument 2013
- The Civil Aviation Act 2012 (Commencement No. 1, Transitional, Transitory and Saving Provisions) Order 2013 UK Statutory Instrument 2013
- The Civil Aviation Act 2012 (Regulation of Operators of Dominant Airports) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2013 UK Statutory Instrument 2013
- ... and 21 more statutory instruments
Related legislation
Legislation connected to CAA's remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.
Administered / monitored
-
The Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) (Amendment) Order 2004
UK Statutory Instrument 2004
Referenced in enforcement
-
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Northampton) Regulations 2024
UK Statutory Instrument 2024
Other publications
9 additional documents from CAA.
- Civil Aviation Authority role in planning consultations
- Environmental requirements for licensing under the Space Industry Act 2018
- Guidance for licensing under the Space Industry Act 2018 and the Outer Space Act 1986
- Lighting and marking of obstacles in UK airspace
- Required safety information for licensing under the Space Industry Act 2018
Sectors regulated
Coverage area
UK-wide