We use necessary cookies to make our website work. We'd also like to use optional cookies to understand how you use it, and to help us improve it.

For more information, please read our cookie policy.

UK Civil Aviation Regulations

These are published by the CAA on our UK Regulations pages. EU Regulations and EASA Access Guides published by EASA no longer apply in the UK. Our website and publications are being reviewed to update all references. Any references to EU law and EASA Access guides should be disregarded and where applicable the equivalent UK versions referred to instead.



What is medical clearance?

You may be asked for proof of your “fitness to fly” when requesting assistance. If you have a stable condition, there is generally no need to be cleared for travel.

There are usually two parts to the medical clearance process:

  1. You will be asked to provide information about your situation or condition and, for many passengers, this will be all you will need to complete.
  2. If the airline has concerns about how flying might impact your particular condition, it will ask you to complete a further form.

You may also be asked to provide medical proof at this stage, often a doctor’s note.

Travelling with a carer

Airlines may decide that for safety reasons, you must travel with a carer. This is generally the case if a passenger can’t undertake activities such as being able to evacuate independently in the event of an emergency.

Your travelling companion will usually need to buy their own ticket. However, the airline should make all reasonable efforts to ensure that you and your companion can sit next to each other.

An airport should never separate you from your carer if you need help understanding instructions, including at the security search area.