Australian Aviation — January 2018

122 AUSTRALIAN AVIATION

S

ecurity will continue to be a key

issue for the wider community

and the industry in 2018. Recent

events highlight how critical this

issue is, and really emphasised airports’

commitment to the safety of their

passengers, visitors and staff.

Certainly, the experience of 2017

highlighted the importance of security

arrangements that are responsive to an

ever-changing threat environment.

The AAA advocates an intelligence-

driven, risk-based and outcomes-

focused approach to security

regulation. The industry remains

willing and able to collaborate on any

enhancements to security measures the

government may require as it responds

to the evolving threat environment.

We’ll continue to engage on safety

and security issues, and offer up our

members’ wide-ranging knowledge and

expertise to support the development

of the best possible solutions.

Airports and the broader aviation

industry are all focused first and

foremost on safety and security. So

I expect 2018 to be a year of real

collaboration to build on that focus.

Technology, too, will be a key theme

for the industry in 2018.

As we see airports increasingly use

data and analytics to better inform

resourcing, and to share information

with customers to help them plan their

time at the airport, technology will

continue to have a big impact on our

industry in ways both seen and unseen.

With biometrics trials already

underway at a number of airports, facial

recognition is promising to create a

more seamless customer experience

and support improved security

outcomes. This is a great example of

ways airports are using technology to

not just improve efficiency, but make

the passenger’s journey through the

terminal much easier.

Airports will also continue to

work closely with airlines to facilitate

advances in aircraft technology.

Perth Airport’s work alongside

Qantas will come to fruition with the

commencement of ultra long-haul

direct flights to London this year. And

with a number of airport master plans

to be released for public consultation

during the year, expect to see more

visionary plans for the future at

Australia’s major airports.

Ultimately, these improvements

are more and more about delivering

an enhanced customer experience.

Whether it’s the T3 upgrade about

to get underway at Melbourne, new

check-in facilities at Sydney, dedicated

changing places at Brisbane or new

facilities to support the Commonwealth

Games at Gold Coast Airport, our

members are focused on ensuring

passengers’ airport experience is easy,

seamless and enjoyable.

Y

ears ago CASA recognised
that it simply did not have
sufficient suitably qualified and
experienced pilot examiners
to discharge its oversight and testing
obligations. Given this, CASA approved
certain experienced flight instructors to
conduct these tests/checks on its behalf
as Approved Testing Officers or ATOs.
But now the Department
of Infrastructure and Regional
Development is leading consultation on
changes to the proposed professional
indemnity insurance arrangements
for persons who are not employees
of CASA, but who are delegates or
authorised persons. The mere fact
that the Department is consulting on
this policy indicates a chronic lack of
understanding of its impact.
In the past, CASA recognised
that as these industry members were
performing a role on CASA’s behalf,
CASA would provide the necessary

insurance cover – all quite reasonable

until CASA decided to withdraw that

cover. ATOs are now being forced to

seek commercial cover, but that cover

simply does not exist, contrary to

CASA’s assertion that it does.

CASA asserts that commercial

insurance for ATOs is available,

but clearly it has never done any

comparison as to what is in the market.

Many suspect CASA has not done

such a comparison as it is all too well

aware of the answer. Not only are the

policies available totally inadequate

in their scope – they are variations

on hangarkeepers liability insurance

• they are very expensive and one
  is required to maintain that level of
  insurance for seven years after ceasing
  testing activity.
  This testing is necessary and
  important as it ensures that new
  entrant pilots meet the strict standards
  required to be granted a pilot’s licence

and also to ensure that existing pilots

are maintaining their skills and

knowledge to an acceptable safety

standard.

Many senior and experienced

industry members have already

indicated they are no longer willing

or able to continue providing this

vital role. It doesn’t take too much

imagination to realise the negative

impact this ill-informed and misguided

policy will have on the industry.

This is another example of an ill-

conceived government policy decision

on the run, similar to the 457 visa

issue banning pilots and avionics

engineers from entering the country.

Fortunately the government has since

reversed that decision at least. And

hopefully the government will realise

the equally significant negative impact

the professional indemnity decision

will have on the aviation industry and

do likewise.

‘2017

highlighted

the

importance of

security.’

‘An ill-

conceived

government

policy

decision on

the run.’

Security and technology

Expect a very busy and productive 2018

Professional indemnity for ATOs

More bad policy on the run

AIRPORTS

CAROLINE WIKIE

CEO – AAAA

FROM THE REGIONS

MIKE HIGGINS

CEO – RAAA