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Strategic review of the Civil Aviation Authority

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (139) issued by The Government News Network on 9 October 2007

The Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly, announced today that Sir Joseph Pilling will be leading the strategic review of the UK's aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The decision to hold a review was set out in March 2007, in the Government's response to the House of Commons Transport Committee inquiry into the CAA's work. The review will consider the structure, scope and organisation of the CAA with a view to ensuring that the UK's arrangements for aviation regulation and policy making are fit for purpose and able to meet current and future challenges. The review will take account of the Eddington Transport Study, the Stern Report, best practice in corporate governance and the regulatory framework which now exists in the EU with the creation of the European Aviation Safety Agency and Single European Sky.

Ruth Kelly said:

"Sir Joseph Pilling has an excellent record of leadership and wide experience of organisations and I am delighted that he has agreed to conduct this review. The CAA is recognised throughout the world for its expertise, which is demonstrated by the UK's exemplary aviation safety record. However, the aviation world has changed considerably since 1971 when the CAA was established, and this review will ensure that the organisation is ready to take on the challenges of the future."

Sir Joseph will be seeking the views of the aviation industry and other stakeholders. The review is expected to conclude in 2008, and its report will be made available on the Department for Transport website.

Sir Joseph Pilling said:

"I look forward to engaging with the CAA and other organisations interested in this review. With their help the review should be able to identify what should be done so that the CAA can continue and improve its performance in the changing context of the next decade."

Notes for Editors

1. Sir Joseph Pilling was Permanent Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office from 1997-2005. He also worked in the Department of Health and the Home Office. He chaired a group which produced a report on senior appointments in the Church of England earlier this year. Additionally he chairs the Koestler Trust, which encourages the arts amongst prisoners, and is a trustee of Macmillan Cancer Support and a member of the council of the University of London.

2. The House of Commons Transport Committee (chair Gwyneth Dunwoody MP) held an inquiry into the work of the CAA in 2006. The report commented that the CAA operated well against its remit but recommended that a review of the organisation be carried out because of the developments in the UK aviation industry. The full report can be downloaded at:

3. The Government accepted this recommendation in March 2007. The terms of reference for the review can be found on the DFT website at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/domestic/caareview2007.

4. This review is complementary to (but separate from) the Competition Commission enquiry into BAA, which may lead to changes in CAA's specific powers for the economic regulation of airports.

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