http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/38/section/2/2012-07-01Transport Act 2000An Act to make provision about transport.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-05-05Expert Participation2012-07-01 Part I Air trafficChapter I Air traffic services General duties <Acronym Expansion="Civil Aviation Authority">CAA</Acronym>’s general duty.21The CAA must exercise its functions under this Chapter so as to maintain a high standard of safety in the provision of air traffic services; and that duty is to have priority over the application of subsections (2) to (5).2The CAA must exercise its functions under this Chapter in the manner it thinks best calculated—ato further the interests of operators and owners of aircraft, owners and managers of aerodromes, persons travelling in aircraft and persons with rights in property carried in them;bto promote efficiency and economy on the part of licence holders;cto secure that licence holders will not find it unduly difficult to finance activities authorised by their licences;dto take account of any international obligations of the United Kingdom notified to the CAA by the Secretary of State (whatever the time or purpose of the notification);eto take account of any guidance on environmental objectives given to the CAA by the Secretary of State after the coming into force of this section.3The only interests to be considered under subsection (2)(a) are interests regarding the range, availability, continuity, cost and quality of air traffic services.4The reference in subsection (2)(a) to furthering interests includes a reference to furthering them (where the CAA thinks it appropriate) by promoting competition in the provision of air traffic services.5If in a particular case there is a conflict in the application of the provisions of subsections (2) to (4), in relation to that case the CAA must apply them in the manner it thinks is reasonable having regard to them as a whole.6The CAA must exercise its functions under this Chapter so as to impose on licence holders the minimum restrictions which are consistent with the exercise of those functions.7Section 4 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (CAA’s general objectives) does not apply in relation to the performance by the CAA of its functions under this Chapter.S. 2 wholly in force at 1.2.2001, see s. 275(1)(2) and S.I. 2001/57, art. 3(1), Sch. 2 Pt. I (subject to the transitional provision and saving in Sch. 2 Pt. II)1982 c. 16.