CASA Media Release - Thursday, 30 August 2001
A century of air safety checks
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has reached an important milestone in safety checks on foreign airlines flying to Australia.
CASA's new International Group has just completed its 100th safety check on a foreign airline this year.
That means every foreign airline carrying passengers to Australia's international airports has been checked at least twice in less than eight months.
The International Group was formed this year to strengthen CASA's surveillance of foreign airlines.
The Group - which includes CASA pilots, engineers and cabin safety experts - is a dedicated small team that carries out audits and spot checks on foreign airlines.
Previously CASA had to divert staff the surveillance of domestic airlines and other duties to check on foreign airlines.
The new approach delivers a consistent level of safety surveillance and ensures international safety rules are met in Australia.
CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, says the International Group is a real success story.
"We have three safety experts working as a team carrying out spot checks at all of Australia's international airports," Mr Toller says.
"Foreign airlines that hold certificates to fly into Australia know they will be subject to regular spot checks and audits.
"That keeps them on their toes and alerts us to any emerging problems in an airline.
"We share the information we gather with other aviation safety regulators around the world to build a picture of the safety of international airlines.
"If we find serious safety problems operators are required to fix them before they can continue to operate flights and we can review the right of that airline to continue to come to Australia."
Media contact
Peter Gibson
ph 02 6217 1015
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0140