Flight services in the UK are made up of various services provided by airport operators, tour companies and airlines as well as government bodies. Airports are managed by different groups depending on the activity concerned.

Main UK airports and their responsibilities

BAA (formerly the British Airports Authority) owns and operates seven British airports. They are: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Southampton.

Within these airports, the airlines are responsible for:

• check-in

• hold baggage handling (from check-in through to delivery at final destination)

• cargo

• provision and fuelling of the aircraft

• boarding of passengers (including those with special needs)

• passenger safety

• onboard catering

However, many airlines contract out services such as baggage handling and catering.

HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for the import/export of goods.

The Home Office Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) is responsible for passport control and asylum issues.

National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is responsible for air traffic control in British airspace.

Public transport operators run services to and from the airports.

Regulating airlines and flights

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK’s aviation regulator, controlling all flight paths and aircraft routes at UK airports. The CAA regulates airlines, airports and NATS and is also responsible for setting airport charges at the London airports.

New security regulations

The Department for Transport issued new restrictions on hand baggage in November 2006. The regulations cover what can and cannot be taken through security and apply to anyone travelling from any UK airport. The regulations are stricter than they used to be so it may take you longer to get through security.