Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
5 September 2006
MEDIA RELEASE
For further information contact Manager Communications:
Bill Sommer
Tel: 0-4-560 9411 or 0-27-546 8216
CAA Director announces retirement
The Director of Civil Aviation John Jones has announced that he will be retiring from the position on 30 November 2006.
He will remain engaged by the Authority until March 2007 to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities to the new Director and to advise on the completion of a series of strategically important projects, currently in train.
John Jones has been Director of Civil Aviation since October 2001, managing the implementation of a new regulatory regime that has seen the New Zealand aviation industry achieve over a 50% reduction in the "Social Cost" of air accidents since his appointment.
"We have just completed a five-year safety plan period and set new targets for the next five year period. Solid progress has been made," John Jones said in announcing his retirement.
"The industry now has its sights set on new safety and sustainability targets for 2010, so it is timely for me to hand over to a new Director who will see them achieved.
"I thank the aviation community and the CAA team for the cooperative effort that has lifted civil aviation safety standards so significantly over the last five years," he said.