All
non-UK air carriers that wish to undertake commercial services to, from or
within the United Kingdom are required to hold a Foreign Carrier Permit before
that flight is undertaken. Currently,
EEA and EFTA air carriers are permitted to undertake services to and from the
United Kingdom without the need for a Permit, provided those flights originate
from or are destined for territories within the European Common Aviation
Area. EEA carriers are also additionally
able to undertake services within the United Kingdom (cabotage flights) without
a Permit.
The EAA comprises the Member States of
the EU along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. EFTA comprises the
Member States of the EEA and Switzerland.
United
Kingdom’s Departure from the European Union
The UK Government has agreed with the European Union a deferral of
the UK’s exit date until no later than October 31, 2019. After
this date, all non-UK carriers, including EEA and EFTA operators, will require
a Foreign Carrier Permit before operating any commercial flight to, from or
within UK territory.
Isle of Man
The CAA also administers Foreign Carrier
Permits for services to and from the Isle of Man jointly with the Isle of Man
Civil Aviation Administration.
Channel
Islands and UK Overseas Territories
If you require approval to operate to the Channel Islands or
a UK Overseas Territory you should contact the Channel Islands Office of Civil
Aviation or the Government of the Overseas
Territory concerned directly.
More information on Scheduled & Charter flights
More information on Aerial Work
See
contact details for DfT.
Where a permit is
not required
Certain flights using non-UK registered
aircraft do not require any additional approval namely:
- Private
flights
- Overflights
of the UK
- State
flights undertaken on behalf of a foreign Government (for example flights
carrying Heads of State/Government Ministers
- Flights
by military-registered aircraft (‘State’ not ‘Civil’ flights)*
- Positioning
flights, ferry flights or, delivery flights
- A
flight for the purposes of undertaking repairs, alterations, maintenance,
or salvage
- Test
flights
*Note: Before undertaking a military
registered or State flight you will need to contact the UK Ministry of Defence
for approval:
Diplomatic Flight Clearance, Ministry of
Defence
Telephone: 00 44 (0) 207 218 2723
E-mail: OIpsDir-Clerk4@mod.uk
Terms and conditions when making a Foreign Carrier Permit application online.
Foreign Carrier
Permits Contact
We recommend contacting the CAA before
applying for a Foreign Carrier Permit. However, before contacting the CAA we
familiarise yourself with relevant content on the website as the information
provided may answer your queries.
Email: foreigncarrierpermits@caa.co.uk
Fax: 00 44 (0) 207
453 6622
Telephone: 00 44 (0) 207 453 6333 (office hours only)
Opening Hours
The Foreign Registered Aircraft Permits
Department is staffed weekdays between 09:00 and 17:00 Local (excluding public
holidays).
Emergencies
Outside of office hours the CAA will only
consider applications for urgent permission in emergency situations, for
example air ambulance or humanitarian flights. Applications that need to be
submitted outside of office hours should be made to the CAA Duty Office 00 44
(0) 330 022 1500.
Charges
An administration fee of £80 is payable in
respect of each permit application made.