Updated fees, charges and levies approved for Civil Aviation Authority

Updating the Civil Aviation Authority’s fees, charges and levies is an essential part of the CAA’s programme to improve its systems and capability, says the Authority’s Chair Nigel Gould.

The Minister of Transport, Hon Gerry Brownlee, announced today Cabinet’s approval of a new funding framework for the CAA. It was the first major review of fees, charges and levies in 15 years.

“The CAA is implementing a major change programme to improve systems and capability. Updating our funding framework to more closely reflect today’s costs is essential to the success of this programme, which is aimed at maintaining the high standards of safety our aviation and tourism industries depend on.”

Mr Gould said the updated fees, charges and levies should come as no surprise, as the CAA has been discussing them with the aviation community since 2010. He said the Authority has attempted to minimise the cost impact by making savings and phasing in some changes over a couple of years.

CAA Chief Executive Graeme Harris welcomed the announcement and said: “Many of our fees and charges date back to 1997. The aviation industry has changed a lot since then, as have our costs and the job we are required to do.

"We think the updated fees and charges are fairer, as levy cross-subsidies are being reduced and users are moving closer to paying the true cost of the actual services they use. Industry participants paying an hourly rate for such services, will still only be meeting about 75% of the cost of chargeable services provided. Another full review is planned in three years time,” Mr Harris said.

The changes will come into effect on 1 November 2012. Full details can be found on the CAA website at http://www.caa.govt.nz/funding, and will be sent to the aviation industry in the next issue of the CAA’s Vector magazine.

ENDS

© Scoop Media