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.
United Kingdom’s Departure from the European Union
The UK Government has agreed a Future Trade Agreement which comes into effect on 31 December 2020. 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.ukFax: 00 44 (0) 207 453 6322
Telephone: 00 44 (0) 33 013 83484 (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 £82 is payable in respect of each permit application made.
How we use your information
The UK CAA’s Consumers and Markets Group collects and stores your name, date of birth, address, email, telephone number and Nationality (not routinely) for the purpose of processing the application for a Foreign Registered Aircraft Permit.
We may also share such information on an adhoc basis with DfT and UK Border Forces for Aviation Security purposes as part of the National Aviation Security Plan.
Why we process your personal information
The processing of your personal information is necessary for the performance of a task we carry out in the public interest or official authority vested in us in accordance with UK/EU law.
Who sees your personal information and why
We need to share your personal data with internal CAA staff, the UK Department for Transport (DfT)'s Aviation Security and the UK Border Force's Carrier Engagement Data Analysis Targeting (CEDAT) who act as joint controllers/processors for information sharing and the purpose of processing the application for a Foreign Registered Aircraft Permit.
Such information is shared on an adhoc basis as part of the National Aviation Security Plan and in accordance of the MoU with DfT under which the CAA administers the Foreign Registered Aircraft Permit.
How long we keep your personal information and why
We will delete all personal information associated with an unsuccessful applicant 5 years after the FOP application was made or 10 years after expiry of a granted FOP. The data is held for enforcement, compliance and intelligence purposes.
Your individual rights
You may submit an information enquiry or make a complaint about how we have processed your personal information by emailing FOI.requests@caa.co.uk.
Please be aware that the CAA is subject to the Freedom of Information Act, which means we may need to release information you have supplied to us. However, we would never disclose your personal information without first obtaining your consent.
- Information about your rights as a data subject.
- Contact the CAA's Data Protection Officer.
- Information on your right to complain to the ICO about the CAA's processing of personal data.
- Access our general privacy notice.
This privacy notice is subject to change.
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