We have a concurrent competition functions with the Competition and Markets Authority in relation to airport operation and air traffic services including functions to enforce UK competition prohibitions under Chapters I and II of the Competition Act 1998 (CA98); and undertake market studies and make market investigation references under the Enterprise Act 2002 (EA02).
We have several sectoral competition powers derived from various acts, including the Civil Aviation Act 1982, the Airports Act 1986, the Transport Act 2000 (TA00), and the Civil Aviation Act 2012 (CAA12). Among other things, these powers allow us to regulate airports that meet the Market Power Test in CAA12 and regulate en route air traffic services provided by NATS (En Route) plc (NERL).
We also have enforcement and other roles under the Airport Charges Regulations 2011, the Airports (Groundhandling) Regulations 1997, and the Traffic Distribution Rules of 1991.
Under the Transport Act 2000 the Government issued a licence to NATS (En Route) plc (NERL) to provide en route air traffic services in the UK.
The Act gives the CAA the role of economic regulator of NERL. The CAA exercises this role mainly through monitoring and enforcing the conditions in the Licence and through modifications to the Licence. The Licence is available below, as is a descriptive summary of the price control conditions in the Licence:
- Air Traffic Services Licence For NATS (En Route) Plc (December 2023)
- Correction to CAP2011: Economic regulation of NATS (En Route) plc: Decision on licence modifications (January 2021)
- Note on consents following NATS refinancing (August 2015)
- Note on consents issued in respect of Condition 5 or NERL Licence (July 2012)
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