What does an airside pass background check need?

What the CAA publishes

• A criminal record check is required for roles including unescorted access to a security restricted area.
• It must be passed before someone starts a role that needs a background check, and again on renewal of the background check.
• An equivalent overseas certificate is needed for any country lived in for 6 months or more in the preceding 5 years.
• CAP 2159 lists the UK offences for which an unspent conviction disqualifies someone. A Certificate of Disregard can be applied for from the CAA.

What airports publish

These come from individual pass issuers, so they can differ. We read the Newcastle and Aberdeen full airside pass guidelines and the Manchester Airports Group vetting page. The national programme these sit under is not public, so we do not say what it requires.

• References for the five years before the application, with no gap of more than 28 days not covered (Newcastle, Aberdeen).
• A five-year check for airside roles and a two-year check for landside roles (Manchester Airports Group).
• Exact dates completed by the referee, not pre-filled by the sponsor; a gap reference is the exception.
• Referees authorised by their organisation. Relatives cannot give a reference.
• A GSAT certificate unless the role is exempt, and an accreditation check where the Critical Part is needed.

Doing it with Formatix

Upload the CV, references and certificates, and Formatix fills a file with declared dates beside the dates each referee gave, so the gaps show. It does not run checks, judge convictions or submit anything. New accounts get 10 free credits, valid for 14 days, with no card. Paid plans start at £20 a month, and one credit fills one document.

Sources

• CAA, Criminal record checks, and Disqualifying convictions and appeals process, caa.co.uk (read 30 October 2026).
• CAA, CAP 2159 Criminal Records Check: Disqualifying Convictions, 2021.
• Newcastle Airport, Full Airside ID Pass guidelines, March 2025.
• Aberdeen Airport, Full Airside ID Pass guidelines, 2025.
• Manchester Airports Group, vetting page (read 30 October 2026).

Related

• Airside pass background check file
• Airside pass and training tracker
• Formatix for aviation staffing

Frequently asked questions

Is the five-year reference rule in law?

We could not confirm that from public sources. The detail of the national programme is not published. The five-year rule we cite comes from airport pass guidelines.

Can a sponsor pre-fill the reference dates?

Not according to the airport guidelines we read: exact dates are completed by the referee. A gap reference is the exception.

Who decides if a conviction disqualifies someone?

CAP 2159 sets out the list. Applicants can appeal, and may apply to the CAA for a Certificate of Disregard. The pass issuer makes the final decision on the pass.