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Who does what

BAA is the world’s leading airport company and at the heart of a very complex business. We are involved in almost every aspect of the day to day running of seven UK airports and a number of airports around the world.

Our work includes: looking after security; property management; retail facilities; fire services and cargo and making sure these all run smoothly. In whatever we do we try to minimise our environmental impact and to be one of the leading companies in corporate responsibility.

However, running airports is a complex business and we need to work in partnership with many other organisations to deliver a high-quality service:

Airlines

Are responsible for checking-in passengers, delivering hold luggage to its final destination, cargo, providing and fuelling aircraft, boarding passengers, passenger safety and on-board catering.

Civil Aviation Authority

Controls all flight paths and aircraft routes at UK airports, regulates airlines, airports and the National Air Traffic Services. The CAA also sets airport charges at the London airports.

Commercial services

Individual businesses provide catering, shopping, car hire, car parking and banking services.

HM Customs and Excise

Controls the import and export of goods including preventing illegal activities such as drugs, tobacco and alcohol trafficking and trades in endangered species and child pornography.

HM Immigration

Responsible for passport control and deciding who can enter the country. Immigration also deals any deportation or asylum issues.

National Air Traffic Services (NATS)

Looks after air traffic control and management, ensuring aircraft flying in UK airspace and over the eastern part of the North Atlantic are safely separated.