The CAA is acutely aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on the aviation, aerospace and travel industries, and we are doing everything we can to provide our support. This includes deferring any increases to our charges for three months to 1 July 2020, which we are keeping under continuous review.  

However, like some other regulators in the UK, the CAA is funded by levying charges on the individuals and organisations we regulate to retain the capacity and capabilities we require to fulfil our functions. This principle is underpinned by statute and is one of our legal obligations. Despite these unprecedented times, this means we are unable to waive or defer payment plans, and we are still required to issue invoices. 

We are, however, constantly looking at ways we can support the industry and manage our internal costs. The CAA Board and Executive Committee have taken collective pay cuts, we have frozen all recruitment, and we are pausing all capital-intensive projects.  Where possible and appropriate, we have also issued exemptions and alleviations so that licences and approvals can be maintained by those in the industry during this period. 

Q: Why are you issuing annual charges if the CAA is currently not undertaking any oversight work as no site visits allowed?

A: The UK Civil Aviation Authority continues to oversee aviation safety and security throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. We are doing this in a number of ways, including:

• Conducting desk top safety reviews
• Maintaining regular contact with those we regulate to understand the decisions being made and the associated safety / security implications
• Helping industry navigate aviation safety and security related tasks during this unprecedented time by issuing exemptions where appropriate

Our work as the UK's aviation regulator continues and as such our fees and charges are still due.

Q: The number of aircraft being charged for as part of my AOC annual charge has reduced substantially as most, if not all, are currently grounded.  Therefore, should I not receive a reduction in the annual charge?

A: The number of aircraft has been based on the average of the numbers reported to the Civil Aviation Authority on 30 June and 31 December 2019 for Type A Aircraft and 31 May and 31 October 2019 for other operators in accordance with the Official Record Series 5, No. 359 / Ref: 539W.  

Q: There is a 'Concession on the calculation of the AOC annual charge' included in the Official Record Series 5, No. 359/359W.  Most, or all, of my fleet has been grounded and therefore why does this not apply to me?

A: There are several reasons why this would not apply:

1. . If the aircraft have only been grounded and have not been removed from the fleet
2. . If there are plans to increase the fleet or re-instate aircraft over the coming charge year
3. . The reduction did not take place prior to 1 April 2020

Q: The March deposit invoices for my variable charge have been based on the previous year's levels.  I have seen a significant reduction in my volumes in March 2020.  Therefore, please can you amend the deposit invoice?

A: The March deposit invoice was issued prior to the downturn in volumes of traffic. However, if you can provide actual volumes to our Aviation Statistics team, we can then issue a credit note to offset the invoiced amount.

Q: I am unable to provide the relevant traffic statistics to the CAA to enable the CAA to calculate my monthly variable charge.  What will happen?

A: Where statistics are not available from operators and airports because of the current situation, an estimated deposit variable charge invoice will be issued based on prior year traffic volumes for that month.  Adjustments to the traffic volumes for the following month will be:

• April 2020 Deposit invoice will be based on April 2019 less 85%.

Invoices relating to May 2020 traffic onwards will be assessed at a later date.

Q: I am unable to pay the charges levied or need to extend my payment term?

A: We appreciate the size of the impact Covid-19 is having on the aviation industry and are doing everything we can to support industry through this unprecedented event. This includes deferring any increases to our charges for three months to 1 July 2020, which we are keeping under continuous review. However, we are unfortunately unable to waive our regulatory charges or extend payment terms.

Q: I normally pay by direct debit. What are the direct debit arrangements for 2020/21 payments?

A: We have delayed the start of the 10 month direct debit payment plan to the end of May 2020. We will be sending out your payment schedule by 7 May 2020. 

The direct debit payment plan is only available to cover the annual charges within the Air Operator Certification Scheme (para 4.1 refers) and the Aerodrome Licensing and EASA Certification and Aerodrome Air Traffic Services Regulation Scheme (paras 3.1.1 and/or 4.2 refer).

To ensure concerns are dealt with as efficiently as possible during the current coronavirus situation, the Civil Aviation Authority will accept service of legal proceedings by email until 31 October 2020 on condition that the total size of the email, including any attachments, does not exceed 50 megabytes. Electronic documents should be in PDF, Word or Excel format.

Our email address for service of legal proceedings is: OGCMailbox@caa.co.uk
No other CAA email address should be used or will be accepted for service of legal proceedings by email.

The CAA will continue to accept service of legal proceedings sent by post to Legal Department, Aviation House, Beehive Ring Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH6 0YR.

However, due to changing work patterns during the current coronavirus situation, where legal proceedings are served by post rather than by email, please also send copies of the relevant documents to the following email address at the same time as they are served on the CAA by post: OGCMailbox@caa.co.uk. 

You are responsible for the security of the information you are sending and therefore you must assess its sensitivity and whether email is a secure enough method of communication.

To ensure concerns are dealt with as efficiently as possible during the current coronavirus situation, the Air Travel Trust will accept service of legal proceedings by email until 31 October 2020 on condition that the total size of the email, including any attachments, does not exceed 50 megabytes. Electronic documents should be in PDF, Word or Excel format.

The email address for service of legal proceedings is: OGCMailbox@caa.co.uk.

No other email address should be used or will be accepted for service of legal proceedings by email.

The Air Travel Trust will continue to accept service of legal proceedings sent by post to Air Travel Trust, CAA Legal Department, Aviation House, Beehive Ring Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH6 0YR

However, due to changing work patterns during the current coronavirus situation, where legal proceedings are served by post rather than by email, please also send copies of the relevant documents to the following email address at the same time as they are served on the Air Travel Trust by post: OGCMailbox@caa.co.uk.

You are responsible for the security of the information you are sending and therefore you must assess its sensitivity and whether email is a secure enough method of communication.