CASA gives Rex safety pass

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has cleared Regional Express of any immediate safety concerns after allegations the airline had a poor safety culture.

Last month, CASA conducted a two-day audit at Rex’s heavy maintenance base at Wagga Wagga. Maintenance engineering staff were randomly selected and interviewed.

The authority issued a media release on Saturday, confirming there were no current concerns with the safety of Rex aircraft, including the specific plane which had featured in a video.

“Rex maintenance engineering staff were randomly selected by CASA and interviewed,” CASA said. “All of them said that they felt confident in reporting maintenance errors or defects, and they indicated Rex operated according to “just culture” principles.

“CASA would take immediate action if there was any evidence of serious safety issues at Rex or with any unaddressed airworthiness concerns in relation to a particular aircraft.”

CASA is preparing a report.

On Monday, Rex said CASA had completed five extensive audits since February last year.

“CASA should be given due credit for expending enormous effort and resources, including conducting yet another audit, to carefully examine the allegations of the union and the media,” it read.

“Once the media started undermining Rex’s safety credibility in public, CASA acted swiftly to gather all the facts and evidence to make a considered determination in order to promptly reassure the public of the safety of Rex’s operations.”

After CASA’s audit last week, Rex said its safety culture was “second to none”.

“(Rex) will remain resolute in the face of cowardly and despicable attacks by disgruntled parties and their unions,” the airline said.

“While waiting for the definitive CASA audit report, we invite all who need urgent answers to talk directly to CASA, the only authority that has all the facts and evidence.”