Airport returns to Normal Operation as CAA Special Attention lifted
Monday July 14, 2025
Gloucestershire Airport Successfully Returns to Normal Operations Following CAA Oversight
July 2025
Gloucestershire Airport is proud to announce that it has officially returned to “normal” operational oversight following a period under enhanced regulatory scrutiny from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This follows the successful lifting of both the “On Notice” status and the subsequent “Special Attention” oversight measures imposed after an unsatisfactory audit in August 2023.
The original CAA audit raised serious concerns regarding Air Traffic Control (ATC) operations, citing outdated equipment, procedural shortcomings, and poor change management. The resulting “On Notice” designation represented the most severe level of oversight prior to potential licence revocation — a position no aerodrome wants to be in.
“‘On Notice’ is the most extreme level of enhanced oversight before an airports operating licence is revoked,” explained Jason Ivey, Managing Director of Gloucestershire Airport. “It meant the airport’s ability to operate was at serious risk. From day one of my tenure, this has been one of my main priorities.”
A Challenging Path to Recovery
The airport remained “On Notice” until March 2024, when the CAA acknowledged significant progress and reduced oversight to “Special Attention.” The final restrictions were lifted in June 2025, officially returning the airport to routine regulatory status.
“This has been the most challenging achievement of my tenure so far at the airport,” said Ivey. “It’s great to have managed to pull the airport back to normal status so we can now push forward into a new and exciting chapter at the end of this year.”
Key to this turnaround was the implementation of a detailed corrective action plan, including:
- A full upgrade of ATC tower equipment, backed by a £500,000 board-approved investment
- A senior management restructure
- A comprehensive review and overhaul of operating procedures and change management processes
These steps were implemented while keeping the airport fully operational — a task Ivey described as “intense” but handled with “admirable resilience” by the airport team.
Teamwork and Leadership at the Core
Navigating through regulatory recovery required both strong leadership and close collaboration. Internally, the Manager of ATC and the Head of Operations played critical roles in developing and implementing the action plan. Externally, the airport relied on multiple contractors to carry out equipment upgrades, all coordinated in tandem with CAA requirements.
“The most critical part of this process was delivering the complex and in-depth corrective action plan,” said Ivey. “Without this team, this would not have been achievable.”
Looking Ahead
The return to normal oversight brings immediate operational benefits, including more predictable processes and better staff retention. For airport users — from operators and tenants to passengers and the local business community — the outcome is increased safety, service consistency, and a more robust airport operation.
However, while this milestone marks a major achievement, work is still ongoing. Certain traffic calming measures remain in place to ensure safe and manageable operations as the airport continues to scale up its capabilities. These are being regularly reviewed and adjusted as staffing and infrastructure improvements come online.
Looking to the future, Gloucestershire Airport remains focused on continuous improvement. The ATC equipment upgrade is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, alongside the implementation of the Romeo 5 flight information display system.
Significantly, the timing of this regulatory clearance aligns with the final stages of the airport’s due diligence process for its upcoming sale — a major milestone in its future development.
“Had the airport still been on notice, it could very well have impacted the sale,” Ivey noted. “Now, we’re in a much stronger position to move forward with new ownership, a new lease of life, and positive development.”
Gloucestershire Airport wishes to thank all staff, stakeholders, and contractors involved in supporting this turnaround and looks forward to continuing its growth as a safe, efficient, and vital part of the region’s transport and business infrastructure.
