Submitting a Whistleblowing Report:
Anybody can make a whistleblowing report but certain complaints or reports can’t be handled under this process e.g. a personal grievance or complaint that does not have the potential to cause harm to the general public. Please read the information below before making a report.
The CAA is a “prescribed person” under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 for the purpose of receiving “protected disclosures” (whistleblowing reports) regarding compliance with the requirements of civil aviation legislation. We are directly responsible for investigating any information of this nature that is received.
A “worker” (which definition includes employees, independent contractors, agency workers and trainees) may make a complaint to the Employment Tribunal should they suffer detriment as a result of making a “protected disclosure”. An employee will be regarded as having been unfairly dismissed if the reason or principal reason for their dismissal is the making of a protected disclosure.
On occasion the CAA will receive allegations that may not be classed as whistleblowing and as such the protection to the source is not that afforded to whistleblowers.
The CAA will respect the confidentiality of a whistleblower unless agreed otherwise with them and will process any information relating to individuals in accordance with our General Privacy Notice.
How to Submit A Report
If this is not possible, reports can be made by emailing whistleblowing@caa.co.uk or by calling the CAA Whistleblowing team on +44 330 138 2305.
Note that contact details are often required in order to gather additional information from you to assist in the investigation. Should you wish to make an anonymous report, please ensure that you provide as much detail as possible
After You Submit A Report:
Upon receipt of a whistleblowing report, we will issue an acknowledgement email to the whistleblower. This can only be provided should you choose to offer an email address within your contact details.
Should your report require further investigation, we are only able to confirm whether the investigation remains ongoing during the investigative stage. At the closure of the investigation, you will receive a confirmation of the conclusion and any appropriate feedback.
Information for Aviation Industry Employees or Ex-Employees
Before making a report to the CAA you should:
- contact the organisation concerned
and - follow the organisation’s internal complaints procedure.
This action will not prevent the CAA from exercising its regulatory responsibilities by investigating any report received.
Employees and contracted personnel may report to the CAA via this whistleblowing process alleged infringements of the Occurrence Reporting Regulation UK (EU) 376/2014 as prescribed by Article 16(12) of the Regulation.
Qualifying Disclosures
To be covered by whistleblowing law, the disclosure must be a 'qualifying disclosure'. This is any disclosure of information which, in the reasonable belief of the worker making the disclosure, is made in the public interest and tends to show that one or more of the following has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur:
- a criminal offence (this may include, for example, types of financial impropriety such as fraud);
- a breach of a legal obligation;
- a miscarriage of justice;
- danger to the health or safety of any individual;
- damage to the environment;
or - the deliberate covering up of wrongdoing in the above categories.
Information for Members of the Public
Before submitting a report under this process, please read our guidance on reporting a public safety concern.
Supporting Documents
Copies of any evidence or photographs can be shared with us for the purposes of supporting the investigation.
Whistleblowing Annual Reporting
The CAA will investigate all disclosures of information in accordance with our statutory duties, where sufficient information has been provided to enable a meaningful investigation.
|
|
Apr 2022 – Mar 2023 |
Apr 2023 – Mar 2024 |
Apr 2024 – Mar 2025 |
|
Total investigations by the CAA (under the whistleblowing policy) |
225 |
251 |
TBC |
|
Total investigations where the CAA were able to take further action |
219 |
TBC |
TBC |
Protect (Formally Public Concern at Work)
If you are concerned about malpractice, wrongdoing or a safety risk at work and you are unsure whether to raise this with the CAA, you may find it helpful to contact the independent whistleblowing charity Protect for advice. Protect can advise you how best to raise your concern. Please visit their website.
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