Airport security, pilot training, AirPods, drones and rockets eyed in rules shake-up
A set of sweeping reforms could overhaul a range of aviation rules in less than two years. Photo / William West, AFP
Fast aviation rule reforms should help fix some of the problems afflicting airports and airline professionals, the Government says.
An airport group said “perverse” rules for aircraft maintenance would be done away with and an airline group said the rapidly-expanding drone sector would be looked at.
Associate Transport Minister James Meager today said the programme would modernise civil aviation rules, enabling 20 years of changes in two years.
He said the Government would update security rules to reflect risk levels, and reduce the burden of unnecessary costs on smaller and regional airports.
Meager said the programme would enable drone use in agricultural operations, while avoiding unnecessary compliance cost burdens.
He also said the reforms would modernise pilot training and licensing processes to create clearer, more flexible pathways aligned with other jurisdictions.
The new project also aimed to cut red tape to recognise overseas approvals for aircraft maintenance providers and parts, reducing cost and time for airlines.
New Zealand Airports Association chief executive Billie Moore said the project was ambitious but would not compromise safety.
She said passengers could benefit if the rules helped airports save money.
One proposal aimed to resolve issues with an airport’s runway end safety area (RESA).
“These are the rules that dictate how long your runway needs to be and the safety area beyond the runway,” Moore said.
“It’s a bit of a long story in itself but essentially, to extend your runway, you have to have such a long RESA it becomes unviable.”
That had been a problem for regional airports, including Kerikeri and Hood Aerodrome in Masterton, she said.
The new project would also enable recognition of foreign aircraft maintenance frameworks.
Moore said New Zealand had until now had some “perverse requirements” in this area.
“Does New Zealand need to personally and specifically approve Boeing or a Boeing subsidiary to maintain one of our airline’s planes?”
She said the new rules meant if an aircraft maintenance company or technician already had US or European approval, they wouldn’t need to be recertified in New Zealand.
That would likely save airlines money, she said.
Aviation Industry Association (AIANZ) chief executive Simon Wallace said airlines and operators would be broadly supportive of the changes announced.
“The industry supports the overall intent of the work being done because there are a lot of rules, some of them over 20 years old, that haven’t been updated.”
Wallace said drone users were the fastest-growing cohort among association members.
He said many farmers in the past two months had voiced interest in using drones as the Middle East war sent fuel prices soaring.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) must implement the rules update programme.
Wallace said he hoped the CAA had the resources to do so and did not pass on more costs through the levies it charged airlines.
“The industry is up for the challenge, just as we hope the CAA is.”
David Seymour, Minister for Regulation, said today’s announcement was an opportunity for farmers.
“Agricultural drones can be used for surveillance, spraying, and other tasks that would normally suck up time and energy.
“It is now possible to do more with less because new technologies are raising productivity.”
He said bureaucracy had held back farmers.
“The Ministry for Regulation was told a drone might hit a cow, but so might a tractor, and yet there are not Byzantine licensing rules for using a tractor on your own farm.”
The project would also review rocket regulation.
The CAA said that would ensure rocket rules were modern and able to support safe launch activities, and reduce red tape.
The Government last September announced the Aviation Action Plan, which included more than 20 new steps to address an aviation skills crisis and grow the sector.
Since then, the industry has faced a new crisis with jet fuel prices surging during the Iran-Israel-US war.
And some New Zealand regional carriers have recently complained of more financial pressures and threats to connectivity.
Meager said the programme announced today would remove barriers for growth and enhance safety and security in aviation.
The new rules aimed to address issues raised within International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) audits.
“These improvements to security, safety and efficiency will create consistency with other like-minded countries and confirm New Zealand as a safe and highly respected international aviation destination,” Meager said.
Some of the 23 changes are outlined below.
Airports
- The change aimed to fix issues with RESA length requirements and allow for the use of arresting systems, which absorbed aircraft kinetic energy in case of a runway excursion.
- The project aimed to enhance security on international flights.
- The CAA said the project would “improve alignment with international best practice for aircraft security checks and searches”.
Airlines
- The project aimed to align with multiple Icao security standards for air cargo, including catering and in-flight supplies, to reduce the risk of dangerous items boarding aircraft.
- Foreign maintenance, repair and overhaul organisations would be recognised from countries with safety and oversight standards in line with New Zealand’s. Aircraft, engine or propeller modifications from the European Union would be allowed, as they already were from the US, Australia and Canada.
Drones
- The project would investigate effective ways to enable agricultural drone use while avoiding unnecessary compliance costs.
- The project would review current Icao standards about drones, including for airworthiness and for communication between pilots and drones.
Passengers
- The project aimed to modernise rules about carrying portable electronic devices such as cellphones, AirTags and AirPods. Currently, power banks, AirPods and vapes must go in carry-on luggage, not in the hold.
Rockets
- The work aimed to address gaps in rocket classifications and oversight, and build a “future‑proof framework" for managing rocket launches.
Training
- The CAA aimed for clearer and more flexible pathways for pilot qualifications.
- The CAA would consider licensing and training needs for new technologies such as powered lift and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation. He previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.
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