CASA to crack down on licence borrowing practices
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is to crack down on the practice known as 'borrowing' Air Operator's Certificates (AOCs).
Announcing the new safety measure at the 17th Annual Aviation Law Association Conference in Melbourne today, the Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller said that this initiative specifically addressed a serious safety concern raised in the Seaview Inquiry.
The Seaview Inquiry Report said that the use of a borrowed AOC was a means for operators to circumvent enforcement action taken by CASA in the event that AOCs were suspended or withdrawn.
Mick Toller said that he had become concerned that this practice could potentially compromise the safety of fare paying passengers.
"I am determined to stamp-out a completely unacceptable practice that allows operators to go ahead without due scrutiny and due process", Mr Toller said.
"In future, CASA approval would be required before an operation can take place under someone else's AOC.
"This will pose no threat to the legitimate operator but should stamp out the fringe practitioners".
This action is part of a series of initiatives taken by CASA to strengthen regulatory arrangements in the interests of safety of fare paying passengers.
As well as introducing a new enforcement policy, CASA has put the industry on notice that it will move against marginal operators who are not prepared to take responsibility and accountability for their safety obligations.
"It is the operator who will be obliged to satisfy CASA that operations can safely be permitted to continue, and if they are not prepared to do so, then CASA will take fair, firm and decisive action to remove these people from aviation in Australia", he said.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Don Hook
Acting Manager Public Relations
Phone (02) 6217 1015 or Mobile 041 929 6446
8 September 1998
Ref: ME9823PR