Public get chance to have their say on civil aviation legislation

The Ministry of Transport has begun public consultation on a review of the Civil Aviation Act 1990 and the Airport Authorities Act 1966. The Civil Aviation Act 1990 governs the civil aviation system in New Zealand. The Airport Authorities Act 1966 confers on airports a range of functions and powers.
Public consultation will run from 1 August – 31 October 2014.

Nick Brown, Ministry of Transport General Manager Aviation and Maritime, says the reviews provide an opportunity to improve the usability of the legislation, and ensure effective and efficient regulatory decision-making.

“Aviation is a dynamic industry. The Ministry wants to make sure the Civil Aviation Act 1990 is flexible and responsive enough to support the civil aviation sector.”

“While the Act is fundamentally sound, it is over 20 years old. During this time a number of significant changes have occurred in the aviation industry, as new technologies and innovations continue to transform aviation,” Mr Brown says.

The review of the Civil Aviation Act 1990 is testing improvements to civil aviation rule making, and to the existing competition and licensing regulation for international air services.

“This includes options to ensure that the process of authorisation of contracts, arrangements and understandings between airlines is transparent, and based on a comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits,” Mr Brown says.

The review is also clarifying the expectations placed on participants in the aviation system. For example, one potential improvement is to allow pilots who have a long-term stable medical condition to follow a shorter process to gain their medical certificates.

The review was first announced in 2013 by Transport Minister Hon Gerry Brownlee. Since then the Ministry has reviewed civil aviation policy, and held preliminary meetings with key stakeholders.

The review of the Airport Authorities Act 1966 is to ensure that the Act’s provisions remain effective for airports and their users.

“The review of the Airport Authorities Act 1966 is testing a range of proposed amendments to that Act, including options for amending the threshold on certain airport capital expenditures,” Mr Brown says.

To view the consultation document, and find out how to make a submission or attend a regional engagement session view www.transport.govt.nz/air/caa-act1990-aa-act1966-review-consultation/.

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