The Australian government has launched a review of national air traffic services provider Airservices Australia, writes Emma Kelly.
The review, which will look at the governance, structure and organisational performance of the government-owned organisation, follows a difficult year for Airservices and transport minister John Anderson, which has seen them embroiled in controversy surrounding airspace reform and pricing policies.
The review, which will be submitted to Anderson by 30 June 2005, is designed to improve the responsiveness of the organisation to government, the needs of the aviation industry and the challenges facing the industry, says the government.
The review is part of the government's recently announced transport policy and follows a similar reorganisation at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority earlier this year that saw the abolition of its board, increased accountability to government and a new strategic direction.
The government had already announced plans to remove regulatory functions from Airservices to allow it to focus on provision of air traffic services. Regulatory functions will become the responsibility of a separate airspace directorate.
The remit includes studying Airservices' performance; responsiveness to government and industry; effectiveness of its governance and accountability; pricing policies; and competition.
Meanwhile, the government has appointed a new chairman - former director of Sydney airport, Hazelton Airlines and the Federal Airports Corporation, Nick Burton Taylor. Former senior Qantas executive David Forsythe, sport aviation specialist Henk Meertens and ex-Ansett executive Alice Williams have become directors.
Source: Flight International
