- UK aviation regulator to be reviewed as part of wider
government programme looking into effectiveness and efficiency of
public bodies
- led by an independent lead reviewer, the review will ensure
the ongoing provision of a world-class service to the public and
aviation industry
- areas of focus will be the organisation’s effectiveness,
efficiency, accountability and governance
The government has today (30 August 2022) launched an independent
review of the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure the provision of
world-leading regulation and public services for decades to come.
With a remit that includes everything from ensuring the highest
standards of aviation safety and security, to the efficient use
of airspace, space operations and protecting consumer rights, the
Civil Aviation Authority is vital to the UK’s position as a world
leader in aviation and aerospace.
Building on the organisation’s success in tackling the
unprecedented challenges of recent years, the review will focus
on:
- its efficiency and effectiveness in delivering its services
currently, and for the future
- its role, form, function and delivery model
- the corporate governance and assurance mechanisms
underpinning the organisation
- the CAA’s
relationship with the Department for Transport and how the 2
organisations work together to deliver a quality service for the
UK
- how its priorities match up to the government’s wider
objectives, taking into consideration its role as an independent
regulator
This year the regulator celebrated its 50th birthday and has
played a key role in the aviation sector’s recovery, as set out
in our 22-point action plan
to help minimise disruption in the sector and protect passengers.
For years to come the regulator will also be crucial in ensuring
the sector can modernise and innovate to meet the challenges of
the future, while protecting consumer rights – as set out
in our 10-year strategy Flightpath to the
future.
Transport Secretary said:
Civil aviation regulation is the lynchpin of an industry which
pre-pandemic carried millions of passengers every year,
contributed £22 billion to our economy and supported nearly one
million jobs.
This review will ensure UK civil aviation regulation continues to
be world-leading on safety, security, environmental
considerations, economic regulation and consumer protection –
which often supports other countries in driving up global
standards.
Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, said:
At the Civil Aviation Authority, we work tirelessly on our
mission to achieve improvements in aviation and aerospace for
consumers and the public.
We welcome the opportunity this review presents to highlight the
dedication, skill and continuous learning culture of our
organisation, whilst identifying any areas for improvement.
It will help ensure that we continue to be a diverse, innovative
and future-focused regulator, dedicated to improving aviation
safety, security and consumer interests and enabling a thriving
aerospace sector.
We look forward to working in an open, transparent and
collaborative way with government to support this review.
The review forms part of a wider programme looking at
public bodies across government, announced in April this
year.
It comes at a crucial time for the aviation industry as it
continues its strong recovery from the pandemic and will also run
in parallel, but entirely separate to, the International Civil
Aviation Organisation safety audit due to take place.
Jeremy Newman, an independent panel member at the UK’s
Competition and Markets Authority, will lead the review, which
will run until spring 2023.
