Restructure of Airservices

Mr Russell said the Airservices Board had endorsed the recommendations from a three month external review that will prepare the organisation for growth while maintaining a clear emphasis on its role as a provider of safe air navigation services to the aviation industry.

'The changes are simple and sensible. They provide a more flatter, streamlined structure and will bring a 'fresh' outlook to the Corporation. Most of them are in head office and will have little impact on our field operations, ' Mr Russell said.

He said that likely domestic and international competition for air traffic management and aviation rescue and fire fighting services together with rapidly changing navigation technology and increasing customer expectations had led to the Corporation having a very serious look at how it can improve operations and efficiency.

'We will implement a new structure over the next few months that maintains safety as a priority but also streamlines operational groups and increases the focus on core business.

'We also recognise that there is a need to delineate between accountability for commercial development and core business and to introduce better governance.'

As part of the reorganisation, the corporation will embark on a series of improvement programs that will be completed by the first half of next year. These will help Airservices meet its long-term business needs and provide clear direction, better stakeholder and regulatory management and further efficiency and cost reductions.

'The Board and I look forward to what will be a reinvigoration of Airservices which will benefit the industry, our customers and our owner - the Federal Government.'

He paid tribute to outgoing General Managers, Tom Grant, Andrew Fleming and Hisham El Ansary.

'After 32 years in the industry, Tom Grant is moving into private consultancy.'

'The Air Traffic Management General Manager's position has been significantly affected by the new arrangements with a number of functions being reallocated and Andrew Fleming chose not to seek consideration in the new structure. He intends to move into other ventures.'

'For Hisham El Ansary, the situation is similar with the Chief Financial Officer and General Manager Corporate Services position significantly restructured and replaced as a result of the changes. Consequently he will leave after 10 years with Airservices and five years as CFO to explore new challenges, ' he said.

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