Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority has proposed a permanent framework for business transport and owner transport flights, seeking to reclassify certain operations that are currently treated as air transport. The plan would create two new types of private operations in Australia, removing the need for eligible operators to hold a Part 119 air operator’s certificate while setting different safety requirements according to aircraft size, complexity and passenger capacity.
The proposal is aimed at flights that can fall under hire-or-reward rules even when they resemble private operations. CASA wants to provide clearer rules for aircraft owners, business operators and third-party managers using aircraft for business purposes or for an owner’s private or recreational use. Operators of larger or more complex aircraft would face stricter requirements, while higher-complexity and higher-capacity cases would need to notify the regulator at no cost.
CASA is seeking industry feedback until 14 September. The consultation keeps the change at proposal stage for now, rather than introducing an immediate rule change, but it is designed to replace temporary arrangements and give the business aviation sector a more durable operating framework.