Website of the UK government

Main UK airports and their responsibilities

BAA (formerly the British Airports Authority) owns and operates seven British airports: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Southampton.

Within these airports, the airlines are responsible for:

However, many airlines contract out services such as baggage handling and catering.

HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for the import/export of goods.

The Home Office Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) is responsible for passport control and asylum issues.

National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is responsible for air traffic control in British airspace.

Public transport operators run services to and from the airports.

• BAA website Opens new window
• More about importing/exporting goods on the HMRC website Opens new window
• More about immigration on the BIA website Opens new window

Regulating airlines and flights

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK’s aviation regulator, controlling all flight paths and aircraft routes at UK airports. The CAA regulates airlines, airports and NATS and is also responsible for setting airport charges at the London airports.

• Contact CAA Opens new window

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the governing body that regulates international air transport.

• Contact IATA Opens new window

New security regulations

The Department for Transport issued new restrictions on hand baggage in November 2006. The regulations cover what can and cannot be taken through security and apply to anyone travelling from any UK airport. The regulations are stricter than they used to be so it may take you longer to get through security.

See 'Air travel hand baggage rules' for more detailed information.

If you are travelling to the USA, restrictions also apply to what can be bought after security and taken on board the aircraft.

• Air travel hand baggage rules

Booking and ticketing

The prices airlines charge are not government regulated and can vary greatly. It is always worth shopping around.

There are a growing number of ways to book flights:

Most airlines will list taxes and charges, such as fuel duty and Air Passenger Duty separately from the basic fare.

IATA aims for all tickets to be issued electronically (as 'e-tickets') in the near future.

• More information on tickets and prices Opens new window
• IATA factsheet on e-ticketing Opens new window

Your passenger rights

As a passenger you are protected from losing money if a tour operator goes out of business as long as your holiday is Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) protected.

ATOL will refund you if the operating company goes out of business before your holiday or arrange for you to finish your holiday and fly home if you are abroad.

• More about ATOL Opens new window

If you are flying from any EU airport or on any EU airline and you find your flight is overbooked, delayed or cancelled, you may have more rights than you think. The Air Transport Users Council (AUC) website gives details.

• AUC - your rights if your flight is overbooked Opens new window
• AUC - your rights if your flight is cancelled Opens new window
• AUC - your rights if your flight is delayed Opens new window