The primary difference between the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) is their jurisdiction and regulatory reach. EASA is the overarching authority for the European Union and several partner nations; it sets unified safety standards, certifies aircraft designs, and regulates pilot licensing for all member states. The CAA, specifically the UK CAA, was once a member of EASA but became a completely independent regulator following Brexit. This means the UK CAA now issues its own separate licenses and certifications that are not automatically recognized in Europe, and vice versa. While they share the same safety philosophies and many technical rules, they are now distinct legal entities. For a pilot or a maintenance engineer in 2026, this often means they must hold "dual licenses" (both CAA and EASA) if they wish to work across both the United Kingdom and the European mainland.