With the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) proposing an increase on charges designed to support modern and relevant regulation, the authority underlines that these charges fund essential services.
The consultation for the charges is open until 22 December 2025, with the CAA explaining that its cost base equates to less than GBP 0.50 per UK passenger or around 0.1% of UK industry turnover.
Updated charges will help with ongoing investment as part of the more than GBP15 million committed over the past three years to streamline administrative processes and enhance digital systems. The charges will also assist with support for legislative reform and sector innovation, modernising the UK aviation safety framework and enhancing safety oversight and customer engagement through a new cross-functional regulatory team.
For 2026/27, the proposed increase is lower than previous years and will help “enable the safe growth of the aerospace sector,” according to Tracey Martin, Chief Financial and Operating Officer at the UK CAA.
“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.”
The regulator is continuing to manage its own costs as it prepares for the next financial year. Measures include making smarter spending decisions by reviewing operating models and ensuring external contracts deliver good value. It is also managing financial pressures and funding gaps by adjusting priorities and focusing on what matters most to stakeholders and investing in upgrades and improvements to make services more effective, efficient and valuable to customers through an annual efficiency saving of GBP5 million.
Photo: London Heathrow
