Changes to the GAR Process

The Home Office have announced changes to the General Aviation Report (GAR) process. Failure by pilots or operators to comply can now result in a fine of up to £10,000.

What is being introduced and when? 

It is anticipated that on Saturday 6th April 2024, the General Aviation (Flight Information, Persons on Board and Civil Penalties) Regulations 2024 (‘the 2024 regulations’) will enter into force. A draft version of the regulations is available online: The General Aviation (Persons on Board, Flight Information and Civil Penalties) Regulations 2024. 

Which flights do the 2024 regulations apply to? 

The 2024 regulations apply to all General Aviation aircraft making international flights who are expecting to arrive in and depart from the UK (including within the Common Travel Area). 

What do the regulations mean for pilots, owners and operators? 

International GA flights that are arriving in or departing from the UK will be required to be submit information online about the flight and persons on board (both passengers and crew), no earlier than 48 hours and no later than 2 hours prior to the expected time of departure. General Aviation Reports emailed directly to Border Force will not be compliant and will not be accepted.

What are the acceptable online submission methods? 

The information is to be provided online using one of the following methods: 

1. The Government’s free-to-use submit a GAR ‘sGAR’ webservice; 

2. Via an approved existing third-party application (including Airbox, Cloud Aviation, Online GAR, Rocketroute, or SkyDemon; or 

3. If you are a business operator, established direct connections to Home Office systems can also be used. 

Civil Penalties 

Border Force will be operating a civil penalty regime that will underpin the 2024 regulations. Failing to comply with the 2024 regulations may result in a civil penalty of up to £10,000 per breach. Complete guidance on the civil penalty regime will be available on gov.uk in due course.