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Airports & Aerodromes

Safety, Regulatory & Operational Advisory for Airport Authorities, Aerodrome Operators & Private Airfields

Aerospace and Aviation Consulting Services (AACS) provides specialist safety, regulatory and operational advisory to national and regional airport authorities, private aerodrome operators, government-owned airports and specialist airfield operators across the UK, Europe and internationally.
Airports and aerodromes operate at the convergence of safety management, regulatory compliance, security governance, airspace design, and infrastructure planning — each domain carrying significant consequences if managed poorly. AACS brings the operational depth and regulatory intelligence to address all of these disciplines in an integrated, coherent way, rather than as separate advisory workstreams.
Our advisory covers the full aerodrome lifecycle — from initial aerodrome licensing and certification through to ongoing safety management, compliance monitoring, authority audit preparation, operational manual development, and infrastructure advisory. We support certificated international airports, regional aerodromes, private licensed airfields and heliports under UK CAA, EASA, ICAO Annex 14 and equivalent national authority frameworks.

Who We Support

National and regional airport authorities

Private aerodrome and airfield operators

Government-owned airports

Heliport operators

Military-to-civil conversion aerodromes

Greenfield aerodrome development projects

Airport investors and infrastructure funds

Core Airport & Aerodrome Capabilities

Aerodrome Licensing, Certification & Regulatory Approval

Achieving and maintaining aerodrome certification or licensing is the central regulatory milestone for any airport or airfield operator. The process demands precise documentation, structured engagement with the competent authority, a thorough physical and procedural compliance baseline, and an accurate understanding of the applicable ICAO, UK CAA or national authority requirements. AACS supports aerodrome operators through every stage of the certification process.
Services include:
  • Aerodrome certification and licensing application preparation — UK CAA, EASA, national authority frameworks
  • Pre-application gap analysis against ICAO Annex 14 and applicable national aerodrome standards
  • Aerodrome Manual and Airport Operational Manual (AOM) initial development
  • Competent authority pre-application meeting preparation and liaison support
  • Physical infrastructure compliance assessment — runways, taxiways, aprons, obstacle limitation surfaces
  • Rescue and Fire Fighting (RFF) category assessment and compliance advisory
  • Aerodrome lighting, marking and signage compliance review
  • Wildlife hazard management programme development
  • Certification inspection preparation and finding response support
  • Aerodrome certification variation and scope change advisory
Our advisors have direct experience navigating aerodrome certification processes with the UK CAA and national authorities across multiple jurisdictions, providing clients with regulatory intelligence that reduces approval timelines and eliminates costly rework.

Enquire About This Service

Speak to one of our specialists about how AACS can support your organisation.
Get in Touch
info@aacsltd.co.uk

Standards We Work To

  • ICAO Annex 19
  • EASA Regulations
  • UK CAA Standards
  • ISO 9001:2015

Related

Aerodrome Manual & Airport Operational Manual (AOM) Development

The Aerodrome Manual and Airport Operational Manual are the defining documents of an aerodrome’s compliance framework. They must accurately describe all aspects of the aerodrome’s physical characteristics, operational procedures, safety management arrangements, and emergency response — and must remain current as the aerodrome evolves. A manual that does not reflect the operation as it actually functions is a compliance liability, not an asset.
AACS develops aerodrome and airport operational manuals that are written for authority acceptance and long-term operational usability — not generic templates that neither the authority nor the operational team recognises as describing their aerodrome.

Services include:

  • Aerodrome Manual initial development from draft through to authority acceptance
  • Airport Operational Manual (AOM) development and restructuring
  • Aerodrome Manual upgrade and revision to reflect physical or procedural change
  • Document control system design and revision management procedures
  • Local instructions, standing orders and airside procedures development
  • Emergency Orders and Airport Emergency Plan (AEP) development
  • Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) and adverse weather operations documentation
  • Aerodrome Manual gap analysis and corrective action planning
  •  Authority review support — responding to comments and achieving formal acceptance

Safety Management System for Airport & Aerodrome Operators

The requirement for aerodrome operators to implement a Safety Management System is a direct reflection of ICAO’s recognition that proactive safety management — not reactive incident response — is what drives sustained safety performance at airports. For aerodrome operators, implementing an SMS that functions as an operational tool rather than a regulatory documentation exercise is a specialist challenge that AACS is specifically equipped to address.
AACS designs and implements SMS frameworks for airport and aerodrome operators that are genuinely operational from day one — structured to surface real operational risk, not to generate paperwork.

Services include:

  • SMS framework design aligned with ICAO Annex 19, Annex 14 and UK CAA / national authority requirements
  • Aerodrome hazard identification and initial risk assessment programme
  • Safety Performance Indicator (SPI) development calibrated to aerodrome operations
  • Occurrence reporting system design and just culture policy development
  • Safety investigation methodology and root cause analysis framework for aerodrome events
  • Safety review board structure, terms of reference and governance documentation
  • SMS integration with the aerodrome compliance monitoring and quality system
  • Accountable Manager and Safety Manager SMS briefing and responsibilities framework
  • Safety culture assessment and airside Human Factors programme development
  • SMS maturity evaluation and improvement roadmap
  • Independent SMS audit and gap analysis against ICAO and authority standards

Effective SMS at an aerodrome encompasses airside operations, ground handling, air traffic services, maintenance, security, and the interface between all of these. AACS builds integrated systems that address the aerodrome as a whole — not siloed programmes that miss systemic risk at organisational interfaces.

Compliance Monitoring & Quality System Design

An effective compliance monitoring system is a regulatory requirement for certificated aerodromes and a fundamental safeguard of operational safety. AACS designs and implements compliance monitoring frameworks for airport operators that satisfy authority requirements while providing genuine operational value — identifying and correcting systemic risk before it becomes a regulatory finding or a safety event.

Services include:

  • Compliance monitoring system design aligned with applicable aerodrome certification requirements
  • Internal audit programme development — schedule, scope, methodology and reporting
  • Audit checklist development against ICAO Annex 14, UK CAA and national authority standards
  • Finding classification, corrective action and root cause analysis processes
  • Accountable Manager and nominated post holder briefing and advisory support
  • Independent compliance audit and second-opinion review services
  • Contracted service provider and ground handler audit programme design
  • Authority finding response support and corrective action plan preparation
  • Preparation for UK CAA, EASA and national authority aerodrome oversight audits

Aviation Security Advisory & Assurance

Airport security encompasses perimeter protection, access control, passenger and baggage screening, cargo security, aircraft security procedures, and the governance structures that hold these systems together. Effective security demands structured risk management, regulatory alignment, technology assessment, and a trained, motivated workforce. AACS delivers comprehensive aviation security advisory across civil and specialist environments.
Our experience includes collaboration with QinetiQ on advanced airport security technologies and operational coordination across military and civil security environments internationally.

Services include:

  • Airport security risk assessment — threat identification, vulnerability analysis and protection level review
  • Pre-ICAO audit preparation — gap analysis against Annex 17 SARPs and corrective action planning
  • Independent airport security management audit — governance, access control, personnel competency
  • Regulatory alignment with ICAO Annex 17, national civil aviation security frameworks and national programmes
  • Access control system assessment — manual and electronic systems, restricted area management
  • Passenger and baggage screening technology evaluation and operational effectiveness review
  • Security emergency response procedure development and contingency planning
  • Multi-agency security coordination framework design
  • Security awareness training programme development for airside and terminal personnel
  • Counter-sabotage measures review and aircraft security procedure assessment

AACS delivers security advisory that is risk-based, intelligence-informed, and operationally practical — recognising that security and operational efficiency must be balanced, not traded off against each other.

Air Traffic Management & Airspace Advisory

Airspace design, air traffic services, and instrument procedure development are disciplines that directly determine the operational capability of an aerodrome — and carry significant safety consequences if designed or managed poorly. AACS provides specialist advisory across the airspace and ATS elements of aerodrome operations, drawing on extensive experience in airspace design, ATM regulatory compliance and instrument procedure development.

Services include:

Aerodrome airspace design and classification advisory — CTR, ATZ, MATZ and associated structures
Airspace change proposal preparation and competent authority engagement support
Instrument approach and departure procedure design advisory — ILS, RNAV, RNP
Runway capacity analysis and aerodrome movement modelling
Air Traffic Services regulatory compliance review — EASA Part-ATCO, UK CAA ATS requirements
ATM incident investigation support and safety occurrence analysis
ATS unit manual and local instructions development
ATC Human Factors programme design and controller competency framework advisory
Aerodrome traffic circuit design and obstacle clearance assessment

Airside Operational Management & Infrastructure Advisory

Effective airside operations management encompasses airside access, ground movement control, apron management, ground handling oversight, rescue and fire fighting, wildlife management, and the maintenance of aerodrome infrastructure to certification standards. AACS provides structured advisory across all elements of airside operational management, bringing direct operational experience to each engagement.

Services include:

  • Airside operational procedures review and development — standing orders, local instructions, airside rules
  • Ground handling oversight framework design — safety interface agreements, service level standards
  • Apron management and stand allocation procedures development
  • Rescue and Fire Fighting (RFF) category compliance review and training programme advisory
  • Wildlife hazard management programme design — bird and mammal strike risk assessment
  • Aerodrome pavement and infrastructure condition assessment — safety risk evaluation
  • Airside driver training programme design — vehicle movements, FOD control, airside safety
  • Winter operations plan development — snow and ice management, de-icing procedures
  • Aerodrome maintenance programme advisory — surfaces, lighting, drainage and navigational aids
  • Third-party contractor and ground service provider safety oversight framework

Airport Training & Competency Development

The safety performance of an aerodrome is ultimately determined by the competency, situational awareness and safety culture of the people who work on it. AACS designs training and competency frameworks for airport operators that go beyond regulatory compliance requirements — building the operational knowledge and safety behaviours that characterise high-performing aerodrome teams.

Services include:

  • Airside safety training programme design — initial and recurrent, across all aerodrome disciplines
  • Airside driving and vehicle operations training programme development
  • Airside pedestrian safety awareness training programme design and delivery
  • Ground handler safety induction and airside familiarisation programme design
  • Safety Management System awareness training for aerodrome management and operational teams
  • Human Factors and situational awareness training for aerodrome operations personnel
  • Emergency response training programme design — tabletop, live exercise and multi-agency coordination
  • Competency assessment framework design for aerodrome operational and safety roles
  • Training records system design and competency management documentation

ISO Quality Management & Integrated Management Systems

Many airport operators seek ISO 9001 certification to complement their regulatory compliance framework, satisfy airline customer requirements, or support commercial tenders and concession arrangements. AACS designs and implements integrated ISO Quality Management Systems that align with the aerodrome compliance monitoring structure — eliminating duplication and reducing the combined management burden.

Services include:

  • ISO 9001:2015 QMS design and implementation for airport and aerodrome operators
  • Integration of ISO 9001 processes with aerodrome certification compliance monitoring requirements
  • ISO 14001 Environmental Management System design for airport operations
  • ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management System design for airside operations
  • Combined ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 integrated management system advisory
  • Quality manual and documented procedures development
  • Internal audit programme aligned with both ISO standards and aerodrome certification requirements
  • Preparation for third-party ISO certification audits
  • Management review framework and continual improvement system design

Our Advisory Philosophy for Airports & Aerodromes

AACS approaches airport and aerodrome advisory with a clear conviction: safety at an aerodrome is not a function of compliance documentation — it is the product of well-designed systems, competent people, and an operational culture that treats risk seriously. Regulatory compliance is necessary, but it is not sufficient. Organisations that build their operations on genuinely robust safety and compliance foundations operate with greater confidence, attract better airline and commercial partners, and are more resilient to the consequences of safety events and regulatory scrutiny.
  • Aerodrome certification must be built on documentation that accurately describes the aerodrome as it actually operates — not as the regulation prescribes in the abstract
  • SMS at an aerodrome must address the full complexity of multi-operator, multi-discipline airside operations — not a simplified aviation template
  • Aviation security must be risk-based and operationally integrated — not a compliance layer disconnected from the operational environment
  • Airspace design and air traffic advisory must be grounded in operational practicality, not just regulatory compliance
  • Aerodrome manuals must be accurate, current and usable — not static approval artefacts that the operational team does not recognise
  • Training and competency frameworks must develop genuine operational capability — not satisfy a regulatory checkbox
  • ISO and aerodrome compliance frameworks should be integrated into one coherent system — not maintained as separate parallel burdens

We deliver advisory that is independently verified, operationally credible, and built on over 30 years of real-world airport, aerodrome and aviation regulatory expertise. Every engagement is tailored to the specific aerodrome, its operational context, and the regulatory framework within which it operates.