We are the UK’s aviation and aerospace regulator, recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.
As the UK’s aviation regulator we work so that:
- the aviation industry meets the highest safety standards,
- consumers have choice, are protected and treated fairly when they fly,
- working together with the whole industry, the environmental performance across the aviation and aerospace system is improved,
- the aviation industry manages security risks effectively.
We are a public corporation, established by Parliament in 1972 as an independent specialist aviation regulator. The UK Government requires that our costs are met entirely from charges to those we provide a service to or regulate.
Most aviation regulation and policy is harmonised across the world to ensure consistent levels of safety and consumer protection. Worldwide safety regulations are set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
We run the ATOL holiday financial protection scheme.
We also economically regulate some airports and certain aspects of air traffic control.
Our consumer panel acts as a ‘critical friend’ providing a consumer perspective on all aspects of our work.