Singapore and New Zealand Sign Technical Arrangement on Aviation Maintenance

Agreement will enhance safety oversight and reduce regulatory cost

           The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA NZ) have concluded a Technical Arrangement on Aviation Maintenance. The agreement was signed by Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS and Mr Keith Manch, the Director and Chief Executive of CAA NZ on 30 September 2022, on the sidelines of the 41st International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly.

2          Under the agreement, CAAS and CAA NZ will mutually recognise and reciprocally accept approvals pertaining to the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of aircraft and aircraft components issued by the respective civil aviation authorities. This will enhance safety oversight while minimising duplicative regulatory audits and reducing associated regulatory costs for MRO organisations in Singapore and New Zealand. It will also facilitate closer collaboration between CAAS and CAA NZ to support the development of the aviation industries of both countries as the aviation sector recovers from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement was concluded under the ambit of the CAAS-CAA NZ Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2019 to strengthen cooperation in enhancing aviation safety.

3          CAAS has concluded similar technical arrangements with Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Transport Canada, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Hong Kong China’s Civil Aviation Department, the Civil Aviation Bureau of Japan, the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority, and the US Federal Aviation Administration.

4        Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS said: “The civil aviation authorities of Singapore and New Zealand are like-minded and share the same commitment to uphold the highest standards in aviation safety as our respective aviation industries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement with New Zealand adds to the list of countries Singapore has mutual recognition arrangements with; it is a pro-safety, pro-enterprise measure which will help MRO companies fulfil their safety requirements while reducing regulatory cost.”

5        Mr Keith Manch, Director and Chief Executive of CAA New Zealand said: “The agreement reflects the confidence each Authority has in the other’s safety oversight systems, and the close working relationship between the two organisations. The agreement will provide significant time and resource savings, and CAA NZ is looking forward to the agreement taking effect.”

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore's success. CAAS' roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation. For more information, visit www.caas.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab).

About the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand was established in 1992 as a crown entity, responsible to the Minister of Transport. The agency oversees aviation safety and the rules, led by the Director of Civil Aviation. The CAA is responsible for regulation, compliance, certification and monitoring aviation participants. The Aviation Security Service is led by the General Manager of Aviation Security. Most staff work in airports screening passengers and baggage and controlling secure access to airports.

For media queries, please contact:
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Email: caas_corporate_communications@caas.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)