While the Government leads on international aviation security matters and UK aviation security policy (including the setting of security standards), the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulates security arrangements at UK airports and for air carriers, cargo and in-flight suppliers to ensure that the relevant entities comply with UK and international security requirements.
The CAA Aviation Security Regulation team develops detailed regulatory requirements and guidance to support UK aviation security policy, providing advice and guidance to the Department for Transport (DfT) as required. The CAA Aviation Security Compliance team undertakes the monitoring and enforcement of the industry’s compliance with aviation security requirements. The Secretary of State for Transport remains responsible for aviation security policy and some specific areas including threat analysis, international relations and the making of aviation security directions under Part 2 of the ASA 1982 (‘aviation security directions’).
The Secretary of State for Transport is the UK’s Appropriate Authority responsible for aviation security matters under international law (the Convention on International Civil Aviation, or the ‘Chicago Convention’). The Secretary of State is accountable to Parliament, and within Government, for aviation security matters and is responsible for discharging the UK’s Appropriate Authority obligations to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
An overview of our responsibilities is available.
Restricted items at airports
Certain items are prohibited by law from being taken through airport security. Whether an item that is not prohibited is allowed through security is ultimately at the discretion of the airport, which may not allow any item it considers dangerous. The Department for Transport has a guide to hand baggage restrictions at UK airports, but you should check with the airport you are travelling from before departure if you have any concerns. We have produced additional detailed guidance on certain items that can cause issues at airport security.
Contact us
General Aviation Security Enquiries
CAA, 5th Floor
11 Westferry Circus
Canary Wharf, London, E14 4HD
Email: AviationSecurityEnquiries@caa.co.uk
Confidential reporting
To provide information relating to aviation security concerns (in a confidential manner) please use the CAA's whistleblowing process
Urgent aviation security issues
For any urgent aviation security issues (i.e. those that represent an imminent threat to airports, aircraft or the wider aviation industry, please call the below out of office hours number.
Out of office hours
Telephone: 0330 022 1500
From outside the UK: +44 330 022 1500
Provide page feedback
Please enter your comments below, or use our usual service contacts if a specific matter requires an answer.
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.