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Paragraph O – Interpretation of Part 8
Paragraph O contains the main Part 8 GPDO definitions used across these transport rights. On these transport rights, the definitions are often as important as the individual Class because they determine who can rely on the right, what land qualifies and which airports or activities are covered.
Do not assume everyday meanings. Terms such as air traffic services, air traffic services licence holder, relevant airport, relevant airport operator and transport legislation have specific statutory meanings here.
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Why the Part 8 definitions matter
Many Part 8 rights are only available to a particular statutory undertaker, operator or licence holder and, in several Classes, only on operational land. A proposal can look operational in ordinary language but still fall outside the statutory definition.
The definition of operational building is expressly stated to be for the purposes of Class F. It is not a free-standing definition to be imported automatically into every other Part 8 Class.
A relevant airport is also a defined concept. Part 8 should therefore not be read on the assumption that every aerodrome or airfield automatically qualifies for the airport rights in Classes F to N.
Where reliance on Part 8 turns on one of these definitions, the safer approach is to establish the operator’s statutory status, the land status and the precise operational purpose before treating the development as permitted.
Paragraph O legislation
Interpretation of Part 8
O. For the purposes of Part 8—
“air traffic services” has the same meaning as in section 98 of the Transport Act 2000 (air traffic services);
“air traffic services licence holder” means a person who holds a licence under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Transport Act 2000;
“air transport services” has the same meaning as in section 82 of the Airports Act 1986;
“operational building” means, for the purposes of Class F, a building, other than a hotel, required in connection with the movement or maintenance of aircraft, or with the embarking, disembarking, loading, discharge or transport of passengers, livestock or goods at a relevant airport;
“relevant airport” means an airport to which Part 5 of the Airports Act 1986 (status of certain airport operators as statutory undertakers etc.) applies;
“relevant airport operator” means a relevant airport operator within the meaning of section 57A of the Airports Act 1986 (scope of Part 5); and
“transport legislation” means section 14(1)(d) of the Transport Act 1962 (supplemental provisions relating to the Boards’ powers) or section 10(1)(x) of the Transport Act 1968 (general powers of Passenger Transport Executive).
Current legislation: Part 8 of Schedule 2 on legislation.gov.uk
Part 8 interpretation Page Updated: 23rd September 2026