site.btaCivil Aviation Act Amended on First Reading

MPs adopted on first reading amendments to the Civil Aviation Act. They were submitted by the Government and were backed by 98 MPs with 41 abstentions.  The proposed amendments concern the designation of special use airspace.

In order to achieve greater efficiency, the revisions propose that temporary special use airspace be designated by the Transport Minister in consultation with the Defence Minister - and not by the government. The cabinet remains responsible for designating permanent or long-term special use airspace. 

Another amendment concerns the designation of air operators of scheduled international services under international treaties. Such carriers will be designated by a Transport Minister's order.

The revisions provides for grounds for charging fees for new administrative services provided by the Civil Aviation Administration (including airport registration and annual compliance checks, entry/extension/renewal of certificates of competency, issuance of special flight permits, etc.).

The bill also revises the administrative penalty provisions in the Civil Aviation Act.