Civil Aviation Authority

The Civil Aviation Authority is the United Kingdom's independent regulator for aviation and aerospace. Headquartered in Gatwick, it sets and enforces standards of safety and compliance across the country's civil aviation activities, covering pilots, engineers, aircraft, airlines, airports, air traffic services, drones and spaceflight. Its remit includes aviation security oversight, economic regulation of airports and consumer protection for air travellers.

Regulatory authority is exercised through a defined set of instruments and services. Civil Aviation Publications (CAPs) establish UK aviation regulatory standards, while G-INFO serves as the national aircraft registration database. The authority administers pilot and engineer licensing, aircraft certification for airworthiness and design, and drone operator registration, along with licensing and permissions for UK-based spaceflight activities and their associated insurance and liability requirements. The ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licence) scheme provides protection for consumers booking air travel.

Alongside its supervisory duties, the authority conducts research in advanced air mobility, artificial intelligence applications in aviation, hydrogen propulsion and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. It also oversees the safe integration of remotely piloted aircraft systems into UK airspace. The organisation states that its work supports the UK's standing in aerospace while protecting passengers and enabling industry innovation.