The Aviation Security (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025

The Aviation Security (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025, effective October 31, 2025, amend existing UK aviation security legislation.

Specifically, the regulations remove Chapter 9 (airport supplies) from Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998.

These changes aim to streamline security processes, and a full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to the anticipated lack of significant consequences on any sector.

Arguments For

  • Removing outdated or unnecessary regulations on airport supplies streamlines security procedures and reduces administrative burden for airports.

  • Aligning UK regulations with evolving aviation security best practices enhances overall safety and efficiency.

  • The absence of a significant impact assessment suggests a minimal disruption to the private, voluntary, and public sectors, indicating efficient regulatory changes.

  • This amendment reflects a potential shift in security priorities, focusing on other higher-risk aspects of aviation security.

Arguments Against

  • Removing regulations on airport supplies, however seemingly insignificant, may introduce unexpected vulnerabilities or loopholes in the existing security framework.

  • The lack of a full impact assessment may not have adequately foreseen potential long-term negative effects on supply chain efficiency or airport operations.

  • Alternative approaches for modernizing airport supply security measures might have been considered before the removal of existing regulations. For instance, a targeted review and revision instead of complete removal.

  • This simplification might inadvertently increase the risk of unauthorized items entering secure areas unless replaced with equally effective alternative control measures.

  1. Citation, commencement and extent (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Aviation Security (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025. (2) These Regulations come into force on 31st October 2025. (3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  1. Amendment of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998 (1) The Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998 of 5 November 2015 laying down detailed measures for the implementation of the basic standards on aviation security is amended as follows. (2) Omit Chapter 9 (airport supplies).

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport Keir Mather Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Department for Transport 9th September 2025

Explanatory Note (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations make amendments to legislation in the field of aviation security. Regulation 2 amends Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998 of 5 November 2015 laying down detailed measures for the implementation of the basic standards on aviation security. The amendments remove current requirements for airport supplies. A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen. An Explanatory Memorandum has been published alongside these Regulations on www.legislation.gov.uk.