Kununurra based scenic operator Alligator Airways remains grounded as CASA finalises its investigations into a number of serious safety issues which led to its initial suspension of the operator in early May.
After being initially suspended from operating flights and maintenance on May 3 by CASA, the regulator successfully applied to the Federal Court to extend the grounding until June 4. Under the Civil Aviation Act, CASA has up to an additional five working days to issue a show cause notice if it believes that there is a “serious and imminent risk to air safety” if Alligator were to resume operations.
If the show cause notice is issued, Alligator will be forced to address the concerns in the notice before a decision could be made on whether to vary, suspend or cancel its air operator’s certificate and maintenance certificate of approval. The company will remain grounded through the process, which could take up to a further 33 days.
Alligator was placed into administration on May 30.
