Ansett's reform package approved

Ansett Australia will not be issued with a formal 'Show Cause Notice' by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

The decision follows CASA's acceptance of Ansett's detailed plans for improvements across its maintenance and operational areas.

Ansett will be required to give CASA a binding undertaking to implement the wide-ranging changes in management, structures and work practices they have proposed.

CASA will be finalising this binding undertaking within the next two weeks.

CASA has approved plans which will:

* Totally overhaul the maintenance division - including a review of staff, improved training, better management of spare parts, a review of tooling and the introduction of a tooling management system;

* Introduce stronger maintenance planning to properly control and direct maintenance work;

* Bring in a system that will strictly control and track documents and paper work;

* Implement quality control in all areas through a special new unit with strong powers to ensure work meets the highest standards;

* See the immediate start of a safety education campaign for all staff led by the CEO Gary Toomey;

* Ensure all Boeing 767 service bulletins are complied with unless permission is received from CASA;

* Provide a strong continuing commitment to apprenticeships;

* Bring in additional resources from Boeing for specific aircraft repair planning issues; and

* Introduce a new risk management review process.

Ansett have also given a commitment to manage the process of change within the airline more carefully, particularly in the maintenance area. There are a number of structural changes included in the package, including moving maintenance control from the engineering organisation to the airline.

CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, says the implementation of the package of improvements will lift Ansett's safety performance to new levels.

"Ansett has given the strongest commitment to implementing the improvement plans within achievable time frames," Mr Toller says.

"Some of these programs start immediately while others are to begin in the next few months. CASA and Ansett will commit to the final package within the next two weeks, at which time it will become binding upon Ansett."

ENDS

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