UK Civil Aviation Authority launches consultation on proposed charges to support safety, innovation and growth

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released a consultation document, detailing proposed updates to how it charges the aviation industry. These suggested fees align with the CAA’s core objectives of ensuring public safety and fostering advancements in aerospace.

The proposals address growing consumer expectations for increased capacity and reliability in air travel. They also reflect the sector’s evolving needs, driven by rapid technological progress, a stronger focus on decarbonisation, and the rising demand for efficient use of UK airspace.

The proposed charge levels are consistent with the CAA’s approach to value for money and its recommendations from the 2023 government-sponsored arm’s length body review.

Details of the UK Civil Aviation Authority consultation document

Tracey Martin, Chief Financial & Operations Officer at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said:  

“Effective regulation can be a positive force for innovation and safety by giving the public confidence in new products and services, and investors’ confidence to support the industry. 

“In order to effectively perform our role protecting people and enabling aerospace, it is essential that we are focused on the future and are able to keep pace with the rapid changes the industry is going through.” 

“We have proposed a reasonable balance of our regulatory obligations with investment in future innovation, helping the aviation sector to grow, and reflect the interests of all our regulatory customers.” 

The proposals in this consultation would mean the Civil Aviation Authority’s statutory charges are expected to represent an estimated 0.4% of UK Aerospace turnover – equal to 45p per UK passenger journey next year. 

The changes support the regulator’s strategic objectives including protecting people through: 

• Protecting people by building our environmental sustainability team so they can better report on the sustainability performance of the sector and bolstering the CAA’s ability to work with the sector on standards of consumer protection and industry resilience.
• Enabling aerospace through our Future of Flight programme and artificial intelligence strategy. To support the safe and sustainable integration of new technologies with existing aerospace users.

The consultation seeks industry feedback and is open for an eight-week period, closing on the 15 January 2025. Following the consultation period, the Civil Aviation Authority will publish a response document reflecting the feedback received from industry and the Secretary of State for Transport.