Functioning in one of the most heavily regulated sectors, aviators are accustomed to having to adapt to an ever-evolving international framework of regulations. Recent times have brought more regulatory activity regarding passengers and the industry’s environmental sustainability, and this has resulted in a huge increase in demand for compliance support. This is a big challenge facing the business fraternity as it meets at NBAA-BACE this week in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As air travel becomes more accessible and private flying more popular, the need for better passenger control becomes inevitable. This is encouraging more countries to go electronic so that the rules are not only easier to apply, but also so no unnecessary congestion is caused at airport immigration. This has led to many countries tightening regulations, some of which include EU LISA, UK GAR, US, CBP, the recent introduction of APIS (Advance Passenger Information System) in Mexico and Hong Kong, plans to expand APIS in countries like Canada and the UAE, and strengthened passenger protection regulations in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies strict requirements to how passenger data is handled.

In terms of emissions regulations, the ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and European Union‘s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) require operators to monitor, report and purchase allowances for CO2 emissions on European flights. These regulations and other country-specific aviation tax schemes add complexity and cost to operations, with increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints.

Failure to comply with regulations can result in delays, fines, penalties, legal actions, reputational damage and even the cessation of operations. Therefore, it’s vital that operators stay informed of regulatory changes in order to avoid penalties and operational issues.

“Recent years have brought a huge amount of regulatory and legislative changes and monitoring them requires investment in dedicated resources and even with that, understanding the full implications of the rules can be challenging. We have concentrated on enhancing our international regulatory and compliance capabilities so we can offer our clients the peace of mind they need,” says Mohammed Husary, UAS founder and executive president, listed in the NBAA’s Top 40 under 40 in 2018.

“Operators are struggling to keep up with the volume and speed of regulatory changes and are afraid of finding out that they are liable without even knowing it. We have seen a 200 per cent increase in demand for regulatory support in 2024 alone. Investing in in-house expertise is costly, especially when it’s not necessary for 90 per cent of the operators’ trips. This is why so many are partnering with UAS or other trip support providers, who have the resources to ensure they are compliant wherever they fly,” adds Abdul Charafeddin, UAS vice president, Americas.

UAS provides taxation and emissions regulation advisory solutions and ensures clients’ total compliance with all international APIS and emission regulations.