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List of documents published by Regulatory Policy Group

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(in reverse chronological order of publication)

Air Transport Policy

  • In November 2011 CAA published CAP 796 ‘Flying on Business – a Study of the UK Business Air Travel Market’, which is an amalgamation of two previous studies. In May 2009 CAA published 'UK Business Air Travel: Traffic Trends and Characteristics', which was largely based on an analysis by market sector using the CAA’s statistical and survey data, and included a review of the Business Aviation sector, which provides on-demand air services using small business aircraft, typically with fewer than 15 seats. Following this report, in December 2010 the CAA published “Flying on Business”, which developed the analysis further, drawing on factual information from published sources and interviews. Because the two studies are largely complementary, they have been combined into a single document for ease of reference. CAP 796 considers the underlying drivers for business air travel, including the effects of the recent economic downturn, and past and future trends. Furthermore, it also considers how organisations procure and manage their business travel, and how airlines compete to provide it.
  • On 17 June 2011 the CAA submitted a response to HM Treasury's consultation on reform of Air Passenger Duty.   
  • In March 2009, ERG published the full version of its study on air passengers visiting friends or relatives (VFR).
  • In November 2008 ERG published a short report "Enhancing social networks across Europe - Air passengers visiting friends and relatives", which summarises the preliminary findings of its research into those passengers who fly to and from the UK with the purpose of Visiting Friends and Relatives.
  • In November 2008, ERG published a report, Connecting Passengers at UK Airports, which sets out the findings of its research into those passengers who use UK airports solely to transfer from one flight to another.
  • On 8 August 2008, having taken into account responses to a consultation published in March, the CAA implemented changes to its policy, procedures and guidelines in order to implement the Civil Aviation (Allocation of Scarce Capacity) Regulations 2007.  The changes introduce Scarce Capacity Allocation Certificates, which will now govern the way that scarce traffic rights are distributed among eligible Community air carriers on routes to points outside the European single market. More information. 
  • On 24 April 2008, the CAA submitted the attached response to the Treasury's consultation on Aviation Duty. To see this response please click here
  • On 3 March 2008 the CAA published a consultation document seeking views on a revised Statement of Policies taking account of changes in the way scarce traffic rights are distributed among eligible Community air carriers on routes to points outside the European single market.  This consultation is now closed, to read the responses please click here.
  • On 11 January 2008, the CAA wrote to airports, airline representative bodies and other stakeholders seeking views and evidence  to help it fulfil its remit to advise the Government on improving the air passenger experience at the UK's leading airports and principally Heathrow and Gatwick. To read the CAA letters please click here.
  • On 11 January 2008 the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) published a report, Recent Trends in Growth of UK Air Passenger Demand, which sets out an analysis of how growth in different segments of passenger traffic at UK airports has changed in recent years and the likely causes of these changes. This report is available at www.caa.co.uk/
  • On 15 November 2007 the CAA published a study entitled Air Services at UK Regional Airports, which describes the latest developments in regional air services.  This is available here.
  • On 31 July 2007 the CAA published a report on long haul passenger operations to and from the UK.  It highlights the main characteristics of long haul routes, passengers and operations, and looks at the impact of possible future developments in long haul travel.  A link to the report is available here.
  • On 18 June 2007 the CAA submitted the attached response to the DfT's consultation on the European Commission's proposal for a Directive on Airport Charges.  To see this response please click here.
  • In November 2006 the CAA published a paper examining the impact of liberalisation of the UK:India aviation bilateral in late 2004 and early 2005. Using the available evidence from a variety of different sources, the paper in turn examines and quantifies, where possible, the impact on consumers, airlines, airports and the wider economy of the increased aviation activity enabled by the recent regulatory reforms. Further details are available here.
  • In November 2006 the CAA made an announcement that it has decided to remove its regulation of long-haul air fares because of greater competition in the airline market. As a consequence, the relevant paragraphs of the CAA's Statement of Policies on Route and Air Transport Licensing were amended with effect from 1 December 2006. 
  • In November 2006 the CAA published a report examining the impact that no-frills airlines have had on the airline market, on passengers and on society more widely.  More information.
  • In October 2006 the CAA published a discussion paper examining the rules governing ownership and control of airlines. In particular, it examines the impact of these on airlines, consumers and employees and considers the situation were they to be removed, especially how safety regulation might be affected. It concludes that there are likely to be substantial benefits from ownership and control liberalisation and sets out a pathway for reform, which if followed, should lead to safer, more efficient and cheaper international aviation.  The report is available here.
  • In August 2006 the CAA published a consultative document which seeks views on a CAA proposal to remove the limited fares regulation that still remains, and therefore to amend the relevant paragraphs of the CAA's Statement of Policies on Route and Air Transport Licensing. Click here for more information. The responses to the consultation are available here. The decision was published in November 2006 and is available here.
  • In April 2006 the CAA published a briefing sheet on slot reform in late April 2006 providing stakeholders with a concise summary of the CAA's views on the issue. The paper sets out the CAA's views on future reform of the European Regulations covering slot allocation and transfers, and explains why such changes are important to making the best use of Europe's busiest airports.  The report can be found here
  • On 13 December 2005 the Civil Aviation Authority published a report entitled Demand for Outbound Leisure Air Travel and its Key Drivers. The report sets out the facts on, and the latest analysis of, how changes in income, wealth, air fares and the composition of the population affect demand for leisure air travel. It is available here.
  • In June 2005, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Office of Fair Trading (OFT) published a report recommending a flexible approach to the secondary trading of airport slots.  It examines the potential concern that secondary trading of slots could lead to anti-competitive behaviour.  It recommends that these concerns be met by small modifications to the design of the secondary trading market combined with case-by-case solutions to deal with specific competition problems at an airport level.  A copy of this report is available here.
  • In September 2005 the CAA launched a consultation on how it plans to implement the economic and financial aspects of the Single European Sky Common Requirements regulation.  The consultation document, consultees responses and the outcome of the consultation can be found here.
  • Consultation on the CAA's allocation of scarce capacity rights: review of Statement of Policies Annex 8 Official Record Series 1 and hearing procedures. All documents can be found here. (August 2005-December 2005)
  • An economic assessment of the impacts of granting fifth-freedom rights to passenger services from UK regional airports (June 2005).
  • UK Regional Air Services, a study published by the Civil Aviation Authority (February 2005).
  • CAA's submission to the European Commission on reform of slot allocation mechanisms (1 December 2004) pdf file 
  • CAA's submission to the Department for Transport's consultation on the protection of regional air services to London (October 2004) pdf file
  • The Effect of Liberalisation on Aviation Employment (March 2004)  
  • Statement of Policies on Route and Air Transport Licensing effective 23 December 2003
  • Consultation on revision to Statement of Policies on Route and Air Transport Licensing in respect of allocation of scarce capacity rights, covering letter to consultees (August 2003), consultees submissions and Decision (December 2003)
  • The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom - The CAA's response to the Government's consultation documents on air transport policy (June 2003)
  • Previous Statement of Policies on Route and Air Transport Licensing effective 1 June 2002 to 22 December 2003 and covering letter to consultees of March 2002. (Note this Statement has been superseded by the Statement effective 23 December 2003 above.)
  • Implementation of Secondary Slot Trading (December 2001)
  • Second round of Consultation on previous Statement of Policies on Route and Air Transport Licensing (November 2001) pdf file Consultation on Slots Secondary Market (July 2001) pdf file
  • Consultation on previous Statement of Policies on Route and Air Transport Licensing (June 2001) pdf file (submissions)
  • The Future of Aviation - The CAA's response to the Government's consultation document on air transport policy (April 2001)
  • The Single European Aviation Market: The First Five Years (June 1998)*
  • The Single European Aviation Market: Progress So Far (September 1995)*
  • Slot Allocation: A Proposal for Europe's Airports (Feb 1995)*
  • Airline Competition on European Long Haul Routes (Nov 1994)* 
  • Airline Competition in the Single European Market (Nov 1993)*

*These publications are available in printed form only. Click here for more details

Consumer priorities

Investigation of airport conduct under section 41 of Airports Act

Airport charges directive

Passenger research

  • The following research was commissioned by the CAA in order to provide evidence and inform a number of workstreams surrounding passenger choice and information use.  Qualitative research consisting of a number of focus group discussions informed the quantitative section of work, where over 2,200 people were surveyed using both standard and stated preference surveys.  The report and annexes here show the results of the research (December 2011).

Q6 price control reviews

Extension of Q5 Heathrow and Gatwick airport price controls

Review of Q5 airport price control process

Airports: Price Reviews (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted 2008-2013)

Preparing for a more competitive airports sector

Introductory documents

  • Preparing for a more competitive airport sector: Objectives and processes (March 2010)
  • Note of seminar on initial consultation on objectives and processes (December 2009)
  • Presentation from seminar on initial consultation on objectives and processes (December 2009)

  • Preparing for a more competitive airports sector - Initial consultation document: objectives and processes. -   2 page factsheet (November 2009) responses to the consultation

    Competition Guidelines

    • Alternative approaches to regulation 

    Drafting airport licences - Request for advice by the Secretary of State under s16, Civil Aviation Act 1982

    • On 23 November 2011, the CAA published an indicative Airport Licence to help support the passage of the Civil Aviation Bill during Parliament. Also published were: covering letter, discussion document (slide pack), May 2010 advice to DfT, request from DfT under section 16 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982.

    • The CAA submitted its advice to the Government regarding the drafting of some of the contents of the initial licences under the proposed new regulatory framework for airports. This advice was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Secretary of State's December 2009 request for advice issued under the provisions of section 16 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (see "Request for advice from Secretary of State" below).  The Government has indicated that it will consider the CAA’s advice, and publish it in due course.  Following publication, the CAA intends to hold a seminar at which it proposes to present its recommendations to interested parties. (28 May 2010)

    Introductory seminar - 1 March 2010

    First draft of licence conditions - 31 March 2010

    Second seminar - 12 April 2010

    Airports: Government review of the economic regulation of airports

    CAA submissions to Competition Commission's market investigation of BAA Limited

    Airports: Price Reviews (Manchester 2009-2014)

    Airports: review of designation of airports (2007)

    Airports: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted

    Airports: Manchester Airport related

    Airports: General Periodic Price Review 

    Airports: Ground handling Regulations

    Airports: Other

    Contestability of Terminal ATS

    Air Traffic Services: NERL Licence

    Air Traffic Services: Price Control Review (from 2011)

    Modifications to Licence

    Air Traffic Services: Price Control Review (2006-2010) and follow-up work

    Air Traffic Services: Initial Price Control

    Air Traffic Services: Amended Price Control (2003)

    • Decision under Section 11 of the Transport Act 2000: NATS (En Route) Limited - Modification of the effect of delay on the Eurocontrol charges control (June 2003) pdf file
    • NATS' application to re-open the Eurocontrol Charge Control - CAA decision (March 2003) decision, annexes
    • Proposed options to modify the effect of delay on the Eurocontrol Charge - CAA consultation document (March 2003) pdf file (submissions)
    • Decision under Section 11 of the Transport Act 2000: NATS (En Route) Limited Eurocontrol Charging Control (December 2002) pdf file
    • NATS' Application to Re-open the Eurocontrol Charge Control: Consultation on CAA Proposals - (October 2002) pdf file (submissions)
    • Notice under Section 11(2) of the Transport Act 2000 (October 2002) pdf file
    • Responses to NATS' Application to re-open the Eurocontrol Charge Control (June 2002) (submissions)
    • NATS' Application to re-open the Eurocontrol Charge Control - Consultation on CAA's Preliminary Conclusions (May 2002) pdf file (submissions)
    • Application to reopen the Eurocontrol Charge Control (a NERL document) (January 2002)  A CAA note on the application is also available (January 2002)

    Air Traffic Services: Monitoring and Enforcement of NERL Licence

    Air Traffic Services: Competition Law

    Air Traffic Services: Charging for Air Traffic Services at Airports

    • Airport Air Traffic Services: Advice to Department for Transport on Future Charging Methods (November 2002) advice, covering letter
    • Airport Air Traffic Services: Consultation on Proposed Charging Methods (July 2002) pdf file (submissions)

    Joint regulators' documents