Regulation & Legislation

There are a multitude of regulations and legislation that impact the aviation industry. These can be focused on safety, workforce needs, the legal requirements of connecting countries, and more.

As new risks begin to threaten airports, new regulations come into play to protect the aerodrome environment and its inhabitants. 

With multiple aviation authorities working within the industry, regs and legs are being continuously reviewed. Within this section of International Airport Review we hope to keep you up to date on the most recent amendments and rules.

news

Aena hits back at Ryanair over Spanish route cuts: “hypocrisy, rudeness and blackmail”

4 September 2025 | By Gabriel Higgins

Ryanair will close bases and cut flights in Spain over small fee increases, prompting Aena’s CEO to accuse the airline of intimidation and dishonest tactics.

news

Air Canada updates goodwill policy to cover expenses as operations near full schedule

22 August 2025 | By Gabriel Higgins

Air Canada expands its goodwill policy, offering reimbursement for accommodation, meals, and transport to customers impacted by disruptions between 15 and 23 August.

article

ICAO’s evolving framework on aviation security – what airports must do now

4 August 2025 | By Sylvain Lefoyer - International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Sylvain Lefoyer, Deputy Director, Aviation Security and Facilitation in the Air Transport Bureau of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), discusses recent ICAO milestones, emerging threats, and how ICAO is strengthening global aviation security and facilitation through updated standards and collaboration with industry stakeholders.

news

ACI Europe urges EU to reform airport security equipment certification as 100ml liquids rule eases

28 July 2025 | By Gabriel Higgins

ACI EUROPE welcomes airport liquids rule change but calls for faster, unified EU certification of advanced security equipment.

news

European tourism sector urges rethink over proposed ETIAS fee hike from €7 to €20

25 July 2025 | By Gabriel Higgins

Europe’s tourism industry warns the ETIAS fee increase could deter travellers and harm competitiveness, calling for transparency and proportionate pricing.

news

ERA warns US–EU trade dispute and tariffs from Trump could severely impact Europe’s regional aviation connectivity and economy

16 July 2025 | By Gabriel Higgins

ERA urges urgent resolution to avoid tariffs that risk higher airline costs, reduced services, and weakened regional connectivity across Europe.

news

European aviation leaders unite in Athens to defend fair, legal process for airport noise regulation

20 June 2025 | By Gabriel Higgins

Airports and airlines urge governments to enforce the Balanced Approach and protect connectivity from unjustified, politically driven aircraft noise restrictions across Europe.

news

New international roadmap to streamline certification of advanced air mobility aircraft across five nations

17 June 2025 | By Gabriel Higgins

A new global roadmap will harmonise certification standards, ensuring safer, faster approval of next-generation air mobility aircraft worldwide.

article

Regulatory harmonisation under the Single African Air Transport Market: too ambitious or long overdue?

11 June 2025 | By Furkan Özdemir

In this article, Furkan Özdemir, Aviation Lecturer at Atilim University, examines the Single African Air Transport Market, the benefits it brings, the progress to date and the challenges it faces.

news

Unite secures over 9% pay rise for Glasgow ICTS baggage screeners amid ongoing airport disputes and planned strike

29 May 2025 | By Gabriel Higgins

Unite wins a 9.8% pay increase and bonuses for Glasgow ICTS screeners, while wider airport pay disputes threaten strikes this summer.

article

Re-evaluating our path to accessible air travel

14 May 2025 | By Kirk Goodlet, Sarah Cox

Kirk Goodlet, Vice President and Sarah Cox, Manager at InterVISTAS Consulting, explore the aviation industry’s path to accessible travel and reflect on what we need from regulators and government to deliver truly barrier-free access in aviation.

article

SAATM: The path to expanding and achieving Africa’s aviation potential

12 May 2025 | By Waheedah Lawal Suleiman

A comprehensive analysis of ACI Africa’s survey on The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) implementation by African airport members.

article

AOP by 2027: An opportunity for smarter airport operations

9 May 2025 | By Ian Betteridge

EU regulation requires airports to implement an airport operations plan (AOP) by 2027, but as Ian Betteridge, Head of Content for International Airport Review, discovers, the real opportunity in implementing an AOP - whether you are mandated to or not - lies in breaking down data silos in your airport…

news

Lord Hutton appointed as chair of London Luton Airport to guide major expansion phase

6 May 2025 | By Gabriel Higgins

Lord Hutton joins London Luton Airport as chair to lead growth following approval to expand passenger capacity to 32 million.

news

ACI Europe backs regional airports as they urge EU to act on critical connectivity challenges

30 April 2025 | By Gabriel Higgins

ACI Europe supports Europe's regional airports as they call on the EU to address economic, policy and sustainability hurdles.