The Federal Court has granted an extension of Barrier Aviations’ suspension by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to 15 February 2013.
CASA confirmed to Australian Aviation that it continues to work with Barrier Aviation to determine whether defects in the operator’s safety management and maintenance practices will be sufficient to lift the suspension by the due date.
Spokesman Peter Gibson said: “There is no change to the situation but the investigation is continuing as quickly as possible”.
Barrier Aviation’s air operator’s certificate was suspended on December 23. “This action was taken because CASA believes permitting Barrier Aviation to continue to fly poses a serious and imminent risk to air safety,” CASA said on issuing the suspension, adding: “CASA believes Barrier Aviation has been operating aircraft with serious and known defects”.
The airline, based in Cairns, has operated a fleet of 43 Piper and Cessna aircraft on essential services to remote regions in Australia’s far north for the last 20 years. It is believed the greatest area of concern was maintenance performed on six aircraft at Horn Island.
