Apron Management Services

Overview

Air Navigation Service Provider's (ANSP) from air traffic services provide the safe and efficient movement of aircraft and vehicles on airside locations at an airport. Additional services that can be applied from the aerodrome (or third party) typically include; aircraft stand allocation, aircraft marshalling services, coordination of ground handling activities; for example, managing the movement of vehicles and equipment around aircraft.

Air Navigation Service Provider's (ANSP) from air traffic services work closely with aerodrome operators and maintain a high level of safety and operational efficiency operating within a regulatory framework that, while not currently established in the UK, aerodromes within other ICAO member states have implemented Apron Management Services (AMS) and have the regulatory framework to support the safe and efficient movement of aircraft and vehicles on aprons.

Currently within the UK, the majority of AMS is provided by Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP), with some elements provided by aerodrome operators which can be sub-contracted out to a Ground Handling Service Provider (GHSP).  However, the UK has filed a difference with ICAO for the provision of AMS. 

ICAO State letter AN 4/1.2.31-25/23, contains SARPS for the amendment of ICAO Annex 14 in relation to Apron Management Services. The alignment and implementation of AMS regulations contained within State Letter AN 4/1.2.31-25/23 would align the UK with other states that have AMS already operational as a standalone organisation/service provider.

The UK Basic Regulation currently has a set of high-level requirements for AMS.  These are set out in Article 33, Essential Requirements (Annex VII). Aerodrome UK Regulation (EU) 139/2014 contains Implementing Rules (IR) surrounding the declaration of AMS providers, management systems, along with acceptable means of compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM). 

CAP 168 does not include any aspects of AMS, therefore, it would require an update to reflect AMS provision.

The view is sought from aerodrome operators in relation to implementing AMS in the UK, as such aerodrome operators are invited to share their views via the attached questionnaire.

Purpose of the Call for information

The purpose of the call for information is to gain feedback from industry and the wider public on the proposed amendments to Apron Management Services.

The output of the call for information will be taken into consideration and a Comment Response Document (CRD) will be published.  If responding for multiple airports, please respond for each aerodrome independently.

Why your views matter

It is important to the CAA that the everyone has an opportunity to voice their opinion on matters that could affect them. For this reason, we are asking for comments on these proposed changes to the Regulations.

We welcome comments from every sector of the community. This includes the general public, government agencies and all sectors of the aviation industry, whether as an aviator, aviation consumer and/or provider of related products and services.

How to respond

Responses to this ‘call for information’ can be submitted by no later than 30 January 2026.

If you wish to provide feedback, please use the online survey.