What Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority does

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (Αρχή Πολιτικής Αεροπορίας, HCAA / ΑΠΑ) is the Greek national regulatory authority for civil aviation, established under Law 4757/2020 and headquartered at Building 45, Athens International Airport, Spata. It commenced full operations in 2022, succeeding the prior Civil Aviation Service structure with an independent supervisory mandate across air transport, air navigation services, and airports. HCAA performs certification, licensing, supervision, and enforcement across approximately 14 service domains, including aerodrome certification, air carrier operating licenses, Air Operator Certificates (AOC/CAT/SPO), airworthiness oversight under EASA Part 21/145/147/CAMO, aircraft registration and certification, drone/UAS registration via a national digital platform, pilot and crew licensing, air navigation performance under the Single European Sky framework, airport and air navigation charges oversight, passenger rights enforcement under EU Regulation 261/2004, aviation security and cybersecurity oversight, and environmental certification including CORSIA and EU-ETS administration. In April 2026 it also implemented the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at Greek airports.

HCAA regulates a competitive market consisting of Athens International Airport (concession-operated by AIA), 14 regional airports managed by Fraport Greece, the new Heraklion International Airport (under construction), additional airports operated by YPA, all Greek commercial air carriers, general aviation operators, training organizations, maintenance organizations, and a growing UAS/drone operator base. It coordinates with international bodies including ICAO, EASA, EUROCONTROL, ECAC, the European Commission, BLUE MED FAB, JAA TO, and the AAIASB accident investigation board. The authority's core technology consists of regulatory and supervisory information systems, including the UAS registration platform, the e-ΠΑΡΑΒΟΛΟ digital fee platform, and structured inspection and certification workflows.

HCAA is a public-law entity (Νομικό Πρόσωπο Δημοσίου Δικαίου) entirely owned by the Greek State under the supervision of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. It is funded through regulatory fees, aviation charges (airport charges, air navigation charges, aeronautical charges documented in AIP GREECE), and state budget allocations rather than external capital. Governance rests with an appointed Governor (Dr. Christos Tsitouras since 2020), an Executive Board, General Directors for Aviation Activities and Economic Supervision/Administrative Support, multiple operational directorates, and section heads. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority

Legal name

Αρχή Πολιτικής Αεροπορίας (Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority)

Website

https://hcaa.gov.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority is Greece's national statutory regulator for civil aviation, performing certification, licensing, supervision, and enforcement across airlines, airports, air navigation, drones, and passenger rights under EU and ICAO frameworks. It is a state-funded public entity established under Law 4757/2020 and headquartered at Athens International Airport.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civil Aviation Regulation

NAICS

Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs (92612), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation Regulators (Aviation, Maritime, Rail, Road) (BPAIAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Licensing & Permitting Authorities (General) (BPAIAOAB), Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

Keywords

• Civil aviation regulation
• Air transport licensing
• Aviation safety certification
• Airworthiness oversight
• Aerodrome supervision

Headquarters

HQ city

Spata

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA / ΑΠΑ) serves as Greece's national regulatory authority for civil aviation, performing certification, licensing, supervision, and enforcement functions across air carriers, airports, air navigation services, aircraft, and aviation personnel. It issues operating licenses, certificates of airworthiness, aerodrome certifications, and pilot/crew licenses, while overseeing compliance with EU regulations (EASA, Single European Sky) and international standards (ICAO, EUROCONTROL, ECAC). The authority also enforces passenger rights under EU Regulations EC 261/2004 and EC 1107/2006.

Product overview

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA/ΑΠΑ) is Greece's national civil aviation regulatory authority. It does not offer a unified commercial product in the traditional sense but rather provides a broad portfolio of regulatory, supervisory, and certification services organized across multiple domains. Key service areas include: Aerodromes (airport certification, airport operators, ground handling, water aerodromes, safeguarding), Air Transport Economics (Single European Sky, air carrier licensing, air transport agreements, regulated charges, airport concession agreements, public service obligations, traffic rights), Air Navigation Services, Commercial Aviation (AOC/CAT/SPO, NCC), Airworthiness (PART CAMO, PART 145, PART 147, PART 21, aircraft certification, personnel licensing), Environment (CORSIA, EU-ETS, emissions certification), General Aviation & Drones (UAS registration system), Licensing & Training (pilots, cabin crew, flight examiners, aeromedical, aircraft maintenance licensing), Passengers (rights enforcement under EC 261/2004), Security (aviation security, cybersecurity), and Safety Management (occurrence reporting, safety promotion). The organization also maintains information systems for UAS operators (uas.hcaa.gov.gr) and participates in EU systems such as the Entry/Exit System (EES).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aerodromes Certification and Oversight Certification, licensing, and continuous supervision of aerodrome operators to ensure safe and compliant airport operations in Greece, including airport operators licensing, ground handling oversight, and safeguarding compliance.
• Air Carrier Operating License Services Issuance and ongoing supervision of operating licenses for air carriers under EU Regulation 1008/2008, including economic fitness assessments.
• Aircraft Operator Certificate (AOC/CAT/SPO) Certification and oversight of commercial air transport operators (AOC), non-commercial complex aircraft operations (NCC), and specialized operations (SPO).
• Airworthiness Oversight (PART 21, PART 145, PART 147, PART CAMO) Certification and supervision of organizations involved in aircraft design, production, maintenance, and continued airworthiness management under EASA regulations.
• Aircraft Certification and Registration Issuance of Certificates of Airworthiness (C of A), Certificates of Registration, Airworthiness Review Certificates, and Permits to Fly for aircraft operating in Greece.
• UAS (Drone) Registration and Management System National digital platform for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones) registration and operational authorization in Greek airspace, accessible at uas.hcaa.gov.gr.
• Passenger Rights Enforcement Enforcement and supervision of passenger rights under EU Regulations EC 261/2004 (denied boarding, cancellation, delay) and EC 1107/2006 (rights of persons with reduced mobility).
• Aviation Security and Cybersecurity Oversight National authority for aviation security (security screening, cargo security, air carrier security) and cybersecurity oversight of civil aviation.
• Pilot and Crew Licensing Licensing services for pilots (PPL, LAPL, CPL, ATPL, MPL, IR), cabin crew, flight examiners, and theoretical knowledge examinations under EASA Part-FCL.
• Aircraft Maintenance Licence Services Issuance and transfer of aircraft maintenance licenses under EASA Part-66, including oversight of approved maintenance training organizations.
• Environmental Certification Noise and emissions certification for aircraft, environmental certification for airports, and administration of CORSIA and EU-ETS schemes for aviation emissions.
• Safety Management and Occurrence Reporting Safety management system oversight including mandatory (MOR) and voluntary (VOR) occurrence reporting, safety promotion, and annual safety reviews.
• Single European Sky and Performance Scheme Supervision of air navigation services performance and charging schemes under the Single European Sky regulatory framework.
• Air Transport Agreements Management Negotiation and management of bilateral and multilateral air transport agreements between Greece and third countries, including traffic rights allocation.
• Entry/Exit System (EES) Facilitation Implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) for automated border control processing at Greek airports.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICAO is a UN specialized agency establishing international standards for civil aviation. HCAA participates in ICAO assemblies, EUR/NAT regional meetings, and implements ICAO standards and Recommended Practices under the Chicago Convention.
• EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEASA is the EU agency responsible for aviation safety regulation. HCAA cooperates with EASA for inspections and oversight of entities under its supervision, participates in EASA Management Board meetings, and implements EASA regulations.
• EUROCONTROLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation. HCAA maintains a technical support agreement with EUROCONTROL for air navigation modernization and participates in Provisional Council sessions and Performance Review Board activities.
• ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECAC promotes the harmonization and development of European civil aviation. HCAA participates in Director Generals meetings and ECAC forums, contributing to European aviation policy development.
• European CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EC develops EU aviation policy and regulations. HCAA implements EC regulations including Single European Sky framework and reports on performance targets and regulatory compliance.
• AAIASB (Aircraft Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent body investigating aircraft accidents and incidents. HCAA coordinates with AAIASB on safety recommendations implementation and occurrence reporting.
• BLUE MED FAB (Functional Airspace Block)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBLUE MED FAB is a Functional Airspace Block initiative for the Mediterranean region. HCAA participates in Governing Board meetings contributing to airspace optimization and air navigation service coordination.
• JAA TO (Joint Aviation Authorities Training Organisation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAA TO provides training and coordination for aviation authorities. HCAA participates in High-Level Workshops for regulatory development and harmonization.
• YPA - Civil Aviation Service (Υπηρεσία Πολιτικής Αεροπορίας)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer operating authority for Greek airports now under HCAA regulatory oversight. YPA continues to operate certain airports under HCAA regulatory supervision.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile (Italy): Italy's civil aviation authority with parallel regulatory remit over safety, security, licensing, airspace and consumer protection. Closest geographic and governance comparator for HCAA within the EU.
• Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (Spain): Spain's national aviation safety and security regulator. Performs aircraft, operator and personnel certification aligned with EU/EASA frameworks — directly analogous to HCAA's regulatory service portfolio.
• Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (Germany): Germany's federal aviation authority executing EASA-aligned certification, licensing, and oversight functions for air carriers, aircraft, and aviation personnel. Functionally equivalent to HCAA in regulatory mandate.
• Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (France): France's national civil aviation authority responsible for safety regulation, air navigation oversight, and economic supervision. Directly comparable regulatory scope covering air carriers, airports and airworthiness within an EU member state context.
• Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom): UK's national civil aviation regulator performing certification, oversight, licensing and economic regulation functions analogous to HCAA. Most directly comparable mandate structure across all functional domains (air carriers, airports, airworthiness, consumer protection).

Broad incumbents

• European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA): EU-level aviation safety regulator that sets standards and works with HCAA on inspections and oversight. Operates one level above HCAA in the EU regulatory hierarchy — defines the framework HCAA implements.
• EUROCONTROL: Pan-European air navigation safety organization that HCAA has a Technical Support Agreement with. Comparable in that it is a multilateral European aviation governance body, broader in scope than a single national regulator.

Others

• Aircraft Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board (AAIASB, Greece): Greece's aircraft accident investigation body partnering with HCAA on safety recommendations. Sits adjacent to HCAA's regulatory mandate, performing investigative (rather than certification) oversight over the same aviation ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hellenic-civil-aviation-authority-new

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority