TAAAF releases 2016 Aviation Policy

The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) released its 2016 policy paper in Sydney this morning.

According to TAAAF, the new policy is aimed at "establishing a new partnership between industry and government that focuses on job creation, industry growth, and a major overhaul of aviation structures."

Chair of the Forum, former Airservices boss Greg Russell, said that the policy provides a unique opportunity for government and industry to take a more mature approach to fostering an industry that is capable of significant jobs growth.

"These policies represent a milestone opportunity for aviation policy in Australia," he said. "A new approach to aviation challenges through a Government/Industry partnership would make Australia into a regional aviation leader and drive growth and opportunities across the nation.

"These policies offer real pathways to improved services, savings for the taxpayer and more effective regulation. It is estimated that over $2.2 billion in benefits to Government, industry and society would be realised from the adoption of these policies."

At the centre of the new policy is the recommendation to sell Airservices Australia and create an Aviation Future Fund to support the aviation industry. TAAAF points out that Airservices has operated for 20 years funded largely by fees paid by the aviation industry. The group estimates that the Federal Goverment could reap $1 billion from the sale of Airservices and pour half that back into industry via the future fund.

TAAAF uses as an example the Canadian Nav Canada not-for-profit model and links the creation of an Aviation Future Fund to improved training pathways, export opportunities and international harmonisation.

"Airservices' current model is no longer capable of effectively responding to emerging aviation opportunities or the need for greater efficiency," TAAAF states. "Forum policies would establish a new structure that has proven to be more effective for the management of safety and cost-effective service delivery."

Other policy announcements included a revamp of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 to align it with international standards and reduce costs and delays, and a realignment of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and CASA to drive policy implementation.

TAAAF costings show a benefit to industry of $1.63 billion and $0.608 billion to the government if its policies were to be adopted.

The complete policy will soon be available for download from TAAAF member organisations as below.