D3/2003
30 September 2003
The heads of the Australian Government agencies responsible for overseeing airspace reform in Australia today reaffirmed their commitment to the safe implementation of the new National Airspace System (NAS).
In a joint statement, the Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services, Mr Ken Matthews, the acting Director of Aviation Safety at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Mr Bruce Gemmell, and the Chief Executive of Airservices Australia, Mr Bernie Smith, reaffirmed their full support for the NAS.
The statement emphasised that the NAS would move Australia to an airspace management system that was safe, simple to use and that followed world's best practice.
"We are committed to ensuring that this new system is introduced safely," the statement said. "It is understandable, given the time required to absorb the NAS airspace changes, that there are some in the industry who may have misunderstood some aspects of the reforms."
Concerns raised last week by pilot and air traffic control unions over the NAS changes will be addressed today when union representatives meet the Executive Director of the NAS Implementation Group, Mr Mike Smith, in Sydney.
The NAS Implementation Group (NAS IG), a team of professionals charged with introducing the new system in Australia, has embarked on an intensive education campaign aimed at explaining the new NAS procedures which are being introduced progressively.
"The agencies and the NAS IG will continue to work closely to ensure the transition to the NAS is achieved safely and smoothly," the statement said.
"We will continue to work with all stakeholders including unions to address any genuine concerns that they have. It is important that everyone involved understands the NAS and the real benefits it promises for Australian aviation."
Contacts:
All inquiries of a technical nature should be directed to the NAS IG - the group responsible for implementing the new system.
- Colin Blair, NAS IG, 02 6287 6978 / 0416 266 843
- Kate Robinson, Department of Transport and Regional Services, 02 6274 8059 / 0438 288 105
- Richard Dudley, Airservices Australia, 02 6268 4479 / 0412 146 828
- Peter Gibson, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, 02 6217 1015 / 0419 296 446
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