Statement from the Director of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Keith Manch
Following extensive consultation with our people, the Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed changes to its structure, systems, and practices.
The changes are part of a programme which began in June 2024 and are grounded in CAA’s vision for a safe and secure aviation system.
Structural changes will be implemented from early April 2025, ready for the new 2023 Civil Aviation Act coming into force on 5 April.
Frontline position numbers, which make up 65% of our workforce, are not being reduced - while the changes being made are intended to make supporting functions more effective in enabling the frontline work.
The changes will ensure CAA is set up to:
Earlier internal reviews of regulatory capability and workforce design found that while CAA has made significant progress towards becoming an intelligence-led and risk-based aviation safety and security regulator, our current systems, practices, and structure did not yet provide the right conditions for this to be fully realised.
The organisational structure changes result in the disestablishment of 122 positions (including 27 vacancies and 14 direct redeployments) and the creation of 117 new positions. An Expression of Interest process will begin in February 2025 for people whose position has been disestablished.
Director Civil Aviation and Chief Executive, Keith Manch, said the internal changes will take some time to fully embed and that key aviation industry stakeholders have been informed.
“While these structural changes will set us up for success from April 2025, they are part of a two-year implementation programme to fully embed and realise the benefits. The CAA Board and I remain committed to supporting our people as we navigate these changes together,” said Mr Manch.
