UK Civil Aviation Authority launches 2026/27 consultation to maintain value and modernise sector regulation

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a consultation on its proposed charges for the 2026/27 financial year, aiming to support modern and efficient regulation while providing value for money across the aerospace sector.

Charges fund essential regulatory services, including safety oversight, consumer protection and licensing. For 2026/27, the proposed increase is smaller than in previous years, reflecting a balance between sector priorities and operational costs.

The updated charges will help continue investment in improving customer service experiences, with over £15 million committed over the past three years to streamline administrative processes and enhance digital systems. This investment, funded through cost efficiencies, aims to make interactions with the regulator faster and easier. The updated framework will also support legislative reform and innovation across the sector, modernising the UK’s aviation safety framework. In addition, the CAA plans to expand its consumer protection programme, including enforcement and dispute resolution, and strengthen safety oversight through a new cross-functional regulatory team.

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

“Effective regulation helps enable the safe growth of the aerospace sector. Alongside the need to invest in our services and capabilities, we also recognise the financial pressures facing the aerospace sector.

“These proposals for our 2026/27 charges reflect what we’ve heard from stakeholders and show how we’re maintaining delivery of our core regulatory services and delivering value through efficiency and innovation.

“We’re encouraging feedback from all sectors we regulate, and we look forward to working with industry to shape the future of our services.”

The regulator continues to manage costs by reviewing operating models, ensuring contracts deliver value, and achieving annual efficiency savings of £5 million. The CAA’s cost base remains small, equivalent to less than £0.50 per UK passenger and around 0.1 per cent of total UK industry turnover.

The consultation is open until 22 December 2025, with full details available at consultations.caa.co.uk.

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