The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is the trade association that represents the interests of British airports and is the principal body with whom the UK Government and regulatory authorities consult on airport matters. Our membership comprises 72 airports representing all of the nation's international hub and major regional airports in addition to many serving community, business and leisure aviation. A further 160 plus companies are Associate Members of the AOA. These companies represent an impressive range of suppliers to the airports industry.

AOA actively brings member airports together to share expertise and develop common approaches across the full spectrum of airport issues. Working closely with our members, partners and other stakeholders we promote the continued successful development of British airports and aviation.

In 2007 AOA member airports handled more than 200 million passengers, nearly 2.5 million tonnes of freight and over 2.3 million air transport movements. A recent independent study has also shown that these airports are major players in the aviation industry's contribution of some £15 billion to the UK's annual gross domestic product (around 1.2% of total GDP).

AOA develops position papers and policy inputs on a range of airport issues and in response to consultations by government and industry regulators at both the national and European levels. Our formal standing committees cover the areas of Operations and Safety and Security. Other policy issues, including the Environment, Planning and Fiscal Issues are overseen directly by the AOA Board, with policy positions being formulated by specially formed issue teams of member experts.

All standing Committees and issue teams report to the AOA Board, which comprises ten member representatives from across the spread of AOA's membership. AOA's Chairman chairs the Board and its Chief Executive is also a Board member.

AOA maintains close and regular liaison with the UK government and the appropriate Departments of State as well as key industry regulatory bodies. These contacts ensure that the views of British airports are represented during the development of industry regulatory and legislative proposals. At the European level we also maintain contact with the European Commission and work through our sister European airports trade body, ACI EUROPE.