Wirraway
7th Jul 2004, 15:22
Thurs "The Australian"
CASA's hourly rate takes off, flying from $75 to $135
By Steve Creedy
July 08, 2004
AIRLINES and other aviation industry operators face an 80per cent jump in the hourly rate they are charged for work performed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
The increase, due to come into effect next week, is the first in nine years and boosts CASA's hourly rate from $75 to $135, allowing the authority to recoup an additional $2 million. It comes as the federal Government is putting pressure on air services providers to better recover costs.
The increase will affect a variety of required CASA approvals, including those needed to start an airline, prove airworthiness, add an aircraft type or set up training courses.
Airlines applying to vary their air operator's certificate also face the hefty increase, as do aircraft component manufacturers, aerodromes and maintenance organisations.
A series of lesser increases will apply to exams as well as pilot and maintenance engineer licences.
The blow has been softened partly by a decision to charge the old rate for work started or agreed to before July 12, and to honour estimates sent before that date for 30 days.
Flight crew who booked an examination before July 12 will also be able to sit at the old fee.
CASA said the increases were due to requirements in the May federal budget that CASA increase its fees and charges for regulatory services by $2 million in 2004-05.
"The proposed new fees and charges will recover costs such as bank fees, as well as direct labour costs associated with regulator services," the authority said. "CASA will still achieve only partial coast recovery through the proposed increases."
Meanwhile, Jetstar said it was on track to introduce its first Airbus A320 later this month after successfully completing a series of "proving flights" on Tuesday.
The result, confirmed by CASA, was good news for the fledgling airline after problems with the A320 delivery flight that resulted in at least one regulatory breach.
"We're still working with CASA on a number of small items," Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said yesterday. "But we believe we're close to attaining the AOC verification and obviously we'll continue to work closely with the regulator."
A new Jetstar booking system, JetSMS, allowing customers to book flights using text messaging goes live today.
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CASA's hourly rate takes off, flying from $75 to $135
By Steve Creedy
July 08, 2004
AIRLINES and other aviation industry operators face an 80per cent jump in the hourly rate they are charged for work performed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
The increase, due to come into effect next week, is the first in nine years and boosts CASA's hourly rate from $75 to $135, allowing the authority to recoup an additional $2 million. It comes as the federal Government is putting pressure on air services providers to better recover costs.
The increase will affect a variety of required CASA approvals, including those needed to start an airline, prove airworthiness, add an aircraft type or set up training courses.
Airlines applying to vary their air operator's certificate also face the hefty increase, as do aircraft component manufacturers, aerodromes and maintenance organisations.
A series of lesser increases will apply to exams as well as pilot and maintenance engineer licences.
The blow has been softened partly by a decision to charge the old rate for work started or agreed to before July 12, and to honour estimates sent before that date for 30 days.
Flight crew who booked an examination before July 12 will also be able to sit at the old fee.
CASA said the increases were due to requirements in the May federal budget that CASA increase its fees and charges for regulatory services by $2 million in 2004-05.
"The proposed new fees and charges will recover costs such as bank fees, as well as direct labour costs associated with regulator services," the authority said. "CASA will still achieve only partial coast recovery through the proposed increases."
Meanwhile, Jetstar said it was on track to introduce its first Airbus A320 later this month after successfully completing a series of "proving flights" on Tuesday.
The result, confirmed by CASA, was good news for the fledgling airline after problems with the A320 delivery flight that resulted in at least one regulatory breach.
"We're still working with CASA on a number of small items," Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said yesterday. "But we believe we're close to attaining the AOC verification and obviously we'll continue to work closely with the regulator."
A new Jetstar booking system, JetSMS, allowing customers to book flights using text messaging goes live today.
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