The Civil Aviation Authority

The Civil Aviation Authority is an independent aviation regulator, providing air traffic services for its users.

The Civil Aviation Authority is an independent aviation regulator, providing air traffic services for its users. Its activities include making sure that the aviation industry meets the highest technical and operational safety standards; preventing holidaymakers from being stranded abroad or losing money because of tour operator insolvency; planning and regulating all U.K. airspace; and regulating airports, air traffic services, and airlines; and providing advice on aviation policy from an economic standpoint. The Civil Aviation Authority’s airspace, consumer policy, and ATOL teams are all based in London, with colleagues regulating safety mostly based in Gatwick and a series of smaller regional offices. It was established in 1972 and has two offices, in London on the Kingsway and close to Gatwick Airport.