1 May 2026
John B Smith
By email: [FYI request #34141 email]
Tēnā koe John
Response to request for information under the Official Information Act (26/OIR/204)
I refer to your Official Information Act request dated 31 March 2026 for the following information –
A copy of CAA's guidelines into assessment of financially unviable airlines Any internal
documentation/reports as to whether Airwork Flight Operations Limited should receive any
exemptions under those guidelines whilst it is in Receivership.
Any internal documentation/reports/correspondence as to what CAA is doing to ensure that
Airwork Flight Operations Limited is capable of maintaining adequate safety standards whilst
in Receivership.
Any internal documentation/reports/correspondence on the suspension/deferral of scheduled
audit work on Airwork Flight Operations Limited, and whether this includes
acknowledgement that Airwork Flight Operations Limited has suspended its internal safety
audits of offshore bases due to financial considerations.
In addition I would like to have any documentation to confirm whether CAA has investigated
Airwork Flight Operations Limited's record keeping, given that they have been unable to
return a leased aircraft due to poor record keeping whilst it was operated on lease to them.
CAA Response
We have decided to withhold your request for any documentation or records relating to Airwork
Flight Operations (AFO) under section 9(2)(b)(ii) of the Official Information Act as these are
commercially sensitive information supplied by AFO or information about AFO and releasing it would
be likely to unreasonably prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the
subject of the information.
In the circumstances of the present case, we do not consider that there are public interest factors
that outweighs the need to withhold this information to protect the commercial position of Airwork
Flight Operations.
We have provided our response to your specific questions to help clarify our position.
1. A copy of CAA's guidelines into assessment of financially unviable airlines
CAA has not issued guidelines about financially unviable airlines
2. Any internal documentation/reports as to whether Airwork Flight Operations Limited should
receive any exemptions under those guidelines whilst it is in Receivership.
PO Box 3555, Wel ington 6140, New Zealand
Email: [email address], Web: www.caa.govt.nz
CAA does not hold information on this part of your request as we have not issued guidelines about
financially unviable airlines. Section 18 (g) of the OIA applies as information is not held. CAA expects
Airwork Flight Operations to meet the same safety standards as any other participant in the civil
aviation system.
3. Any internal documentation/reports/correspondence as to what CAA is doing to ensure that
Airwork Flight Operations Limited is capable of maintaining adequate safety standards whilst
in Receivership.
CAA has regular meetings with AFO and the receiver to discuss relevant safety updates. CAA has
conducted onsite inspection at AFO late October 2025 and a surveillance inspection in February with
an on-site inspection scheduled for the end of this month.
4. Any internal documentation/reports/correspondence on the suspension/deferral of
scheduled audit work on Airwork Flight Operations Limited, and whether this includes
acknowledgement that Airwork Flight Operations Limited has suspended its internal safety
audits of offshore bases due to financial considerations.
CAA is aware that one scheduled inspection at AFO in the beginning of this year was cancelled
because of resourcing constraints on CAA's part. CAA has not suspended its monitoring of AFO, and
we are not aware of AFO suspending its internal safety audits due to financial considerations.
5. In addition, I would like to have any documentation to confirm whether CAA has investigated
Airwork Flight Operations Limited's record keeping, given that they have been unable to
return a leased aircraft due to poor record keeping whilst it was operated on lease to them.
CAA has not investigated AFO’s record keeping.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
If you want to discuss this privacy request with us further, you can contact us at
[CAA request email]
Nga Mihi,
Resolutions Team | Rōpū Whakatau
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand |Te Mana Rererangi Tūmatanui o Aotearoa
