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The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is the trade association that represents the interests of British airports and is the principal body with whom the UK Government and regulatory authorities consult on airport matters. Our membership comprises 71 Airports representing all of the nation's international hub and major regional airports in addition to many serving community, business and leisure aviation.


The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, visiting the AOA stand at the recent Labour Party Conference.

AOA is active in bringing member airports together to share expertise and develop common approaches across the full spectrum of airport issues. We work closely with our members, partners and other stakeholders to promote the continued successful development of British airports and aviation.

In 2004 AOA member airports handled more than 200 million passengers, nearly 2.5 million tonnes of freight and over 2.2 million air transport movements. A recent independent study has also shown that these airports are major players in the aviation industry's contribution of some £14 billion to the UK's annual gross domestic product (around 1.2% of total GDP).

A further 150 plus companies are Associate Members of the AOA. These companies represent an impressive range of suppliers to the airports industry and include, amongst others, airlines, air traffic services, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, fuel companies, retailers, information and security specialists and various consultancy services.

AOA Committees develop position papers and policy inputs on a range of airport issues and in response to consultations by government and industry regulators at both the national and European levels. Our committees cover the areas of Environment and Planning, General Aviation, Government and Industry Affairs, Operations and Safety, and Security, and benefit from the contributions made by specialists in these disciplines drawn from across our membership.

Committees report through the AOA Executive Committee to the AOA Council enabling policy positions to be approved and endorsed by leaders of the airports industry.

AOA maintains close and regular liaison with the UK government and the appropriate Departments of State as well as key industry regulatory bodies. These contacts ensure that the views of British airports are represented during the development of industry regulatory and legislative proposals. At the European level we also maintain contact with the European Commission and work through our sister European airports trade body, ACI EUROPE.