{"id":"F2026L00238","name":"Australian Airspace Policy Statement (AAPS) 2026","slug":"australian-airspace-policy-statement-aaps-2026","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":107773,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2026L00238-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Australian Airspace Policy Statement","sectionType":"part","heading":"Australian Airspace Policy Statement","content":"##   \nAustralian Airspace Policy Statement","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"Name of Instrument","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Name of Instrument","content":"#### Name of Instrument\n\n1. This instrument is the Australian Airspace Policy Statement (AAPS) 2026.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Commencement","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### Commencement\n\n2. This version of the AAPS commences the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation and repeals the Australian Airspace Policy Statement 2021, which commenced on 24 November 2021.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"Definitions and Reference Documents","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Definitions and Reference Documents","content":"#### Definitions and Reference Documents\n\n3. Expressions used in the AAPS are defined in the Glossary of Terms. Documents referenced in the AAPS, and details on how to access them, are listed at the end of the AAPS.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Purpose","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Purpose","content":"#### Purpose\n\n4. The AAPS is made pursuant to Part 2 of the Airspace Act 2007. The AAPS provides the Commonwealth Government’s airspace policy objectives and priorities to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and provides guidance to the aviation industry and other aviation agencies. CASA must administer airspace, as a national resource, consistent with its legislative functions, government policy objectives and priorities, and Australia’s obligations under the Chicago Convention.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Function and powers in connection to Aus","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Function and powers in connection to Australian-administered airspace","content":"#### Function and powers in connection to Australian-administered airspace\n\n5. The legislation and regulations which govern airspace administration require a broad range of activities to be undertaken by CASA. CASA will exercise its airspace regulatory functions through the Office of Airspace Regulation (OAR) and other parts of CASA as necessary, in line with the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Airspace Act 2007.\n\n6. The legislation and regulations which govern airspace administration enable CASA to:\n\n-   determine the class of airspace and controlled aerodromes in Australia;\n-   designate prohibited, restricted and danger areas;\n-   designate flying training areas;\n-   designate air routes and airways;\n-   provide directions relating to air routes, airways and facilities;\n-   publish the particulars of air traffic services; and\n-   review the Instruments containing declarations, designations, determinations and directions at least every 5 years.\n\n7. Airservices Australia (Airservices) is expected to manage the airspace and provide services in a manner consistent with CASA's administrative intent, as well as government policy objectives and priorities, Airservices’ legislative functions and Australia’s obligations under the Chicago Convention.\n\n8. Consistent with the government’s policy of a harmonised national civil and military air traffic management (ATM) system, better coordination of national civil and military airspace requirements will be facilitated by the placement of Department of Defence (Defence) officers within the OAR, holding delegated powers under the Airspace Regulations 2007.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"Government Policy Objectives","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Government Policy Objectives","content":"#### Government Policy Objectives\n\nSafety\n\n9. Australia’s aviation safety system plays a vital role in ensuring a safe, efficient and competitive aviation industry. Safety of air navigation is an integral part of airspace administration. The Government expects that CASA will identify and monitor airspace risk, and respond appropriately and in a timely manner to any change in risk levels for air navigation to ensure safety outcomes for all aviation participants, including through collaboration with industry and other government entities, particularly in the consideration of the increased use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B).\n\nFuture Airspace Framework\n\n10. The Government expects that CASA will develop an Australian Future Airspace Framework (AFAF) that will reflect the Government’s airspace policy objectives and the Airspace Strategy detailed in paragraphs 35 to 44. It will include a long-term strategic airspace plan to support the implementation of the AFAF, including transitional milestones relating to evolving technological and regulatory advancements. The AFAF will establish an evidence and risk-based approach when assessing airspace, supported by robust collision risk modelling, data and the application of risk mitigation options to ensure Australian airspace architecture is safe for all airspace users.\n\nRegulatory Certainty for New Aviation Technologies\n\n11. The Government expects that CASA will work with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (the Department), other aviation agencies, and industry to safely and efficiently integrate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) into Australian airspace, to enable the continued growth and commercialisation of the sector, consistent with its legislative remit. This will be achieved by implementing fit-for-purpose regulations and/or regulatory pathways informed through proportionate risk profiles, development of guidance material, and digital transformation of regulatory application services.\n\nEnabling Flight Testing\n\n12. The Government expects that CASA will work collaboratively with the Department, Airservices, Defence and industry to facilitate safe flight testing of new civil and military systems and capabilities within Australian-administered airspace and at appropriate aerodromes. This will support the advancement of Australian sovereign manufacturing and Australia’s military strategic objectives, without compromising aviation safety.\n\nAirspace Review\n\n13. The Government expects that CASA will continue to undertake regular reviews of Australia’s airspace architecture, services, facilities and airspace user obligations, considering input from airspace users. CASA will also consider proven international best practice airspace systems with a view to deliver safe, efficient and appropriate airspace arrangements. Such reviews should be considered for incorporation into the AFAF.\n\nInternational Consistency","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"14. The Government expects that CASA and","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"14. The Government expects that CASA and Airservices will continue to move closer to alignment with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices (SARPs), and that Australia’s airspace administration will remain consistent with the objectives and priorities identified in the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP).","content":"#### 14. The Government expects that CASA and Airservices will continue to move closer to alignment with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices (SARPs), and that Australia’s airspace administration will remain consistent with the objectives and priorities identified in the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP).\n\nRegional Aerodromes\n\n15. The Government is committed to ensuring that appropriate levels of airspace classification and air traffic services are implemented to enable the continued safe operation of services at regional aerodromes. Airspace classification and services at regional aerodromes should provide an acceptable level of safety for all airspace users informed by the outcomes of airspace reviews.\n\nFuture Focused Collaboration to Support National Security\n\n16. The Government expects that CASA, the Department, Airservices, the Department of Home Affairs, and Defence will work collaboratively to ensure national security requirements are considered when administering airspace, without compromising aviation safety. Consideration should be given to how action required to preserve Australia’s sovereignty can be integrated with civil aviation, noting the potential associated constraints on the efficient use of, and equitable access to, airspace for all users. Decision making should recognise both the links and differences between national security and safety.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"Airspace Administration","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Airspace Administration","content":"#### Airspace Administration\n\n17. The administration of Australian-administered airspace shall give priority to the safety of air navigation. In addition, application of this AAPS shall:\n\n-   be in Australia’s national interest, consistent with broader government policy;\n-   take into account national security requirements;\n-   consider the current and future needs of the Australian aviation industry, which includes civil aviation and military capabilities, and crewed and uncrewed aircraft;\n-   consider cost implications for all airspace users;\n-   consider adopting elements of international airspace systems adapted to benefit Australia’s aviation;\n-   as far as is practicable, ensure the environment is protected from the effects of the operation and use of aircraft;\n-   take into account the need to provide equitable access to airspace for all users;\n-   consider flexible use airspace wherever practicable; and\n-   take advantage of advances in technology wherever practicable.\n\nAirspace Classification used in Australian-administered Airspace\n\n18. Airspace administration in Australia is generally aligned with the ICAO prescribed airspace classes and associated levels of service as set out in Annex 11 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944) (Chicago Convention). Differences to the ICAO classes of airspace in Australia are notified to ICAO and listed in the Australian Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).\n\n19. The airspace classification system to be used in Australia is specified below:\n\nClass A: Instrument flight rules (IFR) flights only are permitted; all flights are provided with an Air Traffic Control (ATC) service and are separated from each other.\n\nClass B: IFR and visual flight rules (VFR) flights are permitted, all flights are provided with ATC service and are separated from each other.\n\nClass C: IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all flights are provided with ATC service and IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and from VFR flights. VFR flights are separated from IFR flights and receive traffic information in respect of other VFR flights.\n\nClass D: IFR and VFR flights are permitted, and all flights are provided with an ATC service. IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and receive traffic information in respect of VFR flights, VFR flights receive traffic information in respect of all other flights.\n\nClass E: IFR and VFR flights are permitted, IFR flights are provided with an ATC service and are separated from other IFR flights. All flights receive traffic information as far as is practicable. Class E shall not be used for control zones.\n\nClass F: IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all participating IFR flights receive an air traffic advisory service, and all flights receive a flight information service if requested.\n\nClass G: IFR and VFR flights are permitted and receive a flight information service if requested.\n\nNote: North of 65°S IFR flights are considered to have an ongoing flight information request and receive traffic information on other IFR flights and known VFR flights.\n\nSpecial Use Airspace\n\n20. Australia has adopted the ICAO designations described in Annex 11 of the Chicago Convention for describing the designation to be used for the purposes of restricting access to or warning about access to airspace where there are activities that may be incompatible with routine flying operations.\n\n21. The designations to be used in Australia shall be in accordance with the principles of the Chicago Convention and are specified below:\n\nProhibited Area: An airspace of defined dimensions, above the land areas or territorial waters of Australia, within which the flight of aircraft is prohibited.\n\nRestricted Area: An airspace of defined dimensions, above the land areas or territorial waters of Australia, within which the flight of aircraft is restricted in accordance with certain specified conditions.\n\nDanger Area: An airspace of defined dimensions within which activities dangerous to the flight of aircraft may exist at specified times. CASA may specify different subsets of Danger Areas, such as Military Operating Areas, and, where permissible, place conditions on the use of those Danger Areas.\n\n22. Consistent with ICAO Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Aeronautical Information Management, CASA may publish airspace of defined dimensions where military training or exercises take place at regular intervals. CASA may also establish procedures to permit relevant airspace users to have safe access to such airspace in consultation with the controlling authority.\n\n    23. Consistent with ICAO Annex 11, flexible use airspace, and in order to provide added airspace capacity and to improve efficiency and flexibility of aircraft operations, airspace of defined dimensions may be reserved for military or other special activities.\n\n    24. The Government acknowledges that CASA may need to publish airspace of defined dimensions to ensure the safety of future airspace users and expects CASA to review the need for airspace changes consistent with government policy objectives.\n\nReview and Change of Airspace Classifications, Services and Facilities\n\n    25. CASA’s review process must be risk and evidence-based, using both quantitative and qualitative data sources. CASA’s risk management framework should be in accordance with ICAO guidance and SARPs. The risk methodology should include all current and future airspace users.\n\n    26. CASA will monitor changes to aircraft and passenger movement data on an ongoing basis. The sources for this data will include, but not be limited to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, Airservices and aerodrome operators. CASA will review Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Airservices safety occurrence data on an ongoing basis. CASA will assess all available data to identify current or emerging aviation safety risks that may require airspace solutions or other mitigation to achieve an acceptable level of safety for all airspace users.\n\n    27. An airspace risk assessment should be informed by traffic types, complexity and density; the wider operating environment; present and emerging airspace risks; public, industry and government agency comments; government policy objectives; and planned future activity. It should also consider the effectiveness of any risk controls already in place or planned for the volume of airspace.\n\n    28. CASA will use the outcomes of the airspace risk assessment and any other sources of information and intelligence as appropriate, to identify any residual airspace risk requiring further analysis and examination within an aeronautical risk review.\n\n    29. If CASA has completed a review of airspace risks in the previous year then it may choose to update that existing review if circumstances or new information indicate that a further review is warranted.\n\n    30. CASA shall publish its findings and proposals, as required, on the overall safety and suitability of a particular airspace classification, designation or level of service or facilities. These findings may include proposals to: (a) change the classification or designation of airspace; (b) not change a classification or designation, but make other proposals to improve or enhance airspace arrangements, including level of service or facilities, or conditions placed on airspace users; or (c) recommend a continuation of current airspace arrangements without additional controls. CASA will provide these findings and/or proposals to Airservices, Defence and the public for comment and, after considering these comments, make a determination to be implemented by the relevant parties, should such action be required.\n\n    31. Any determination must be taken in consultation with Airservices, and Defence where relevant, given the responsibilities of these agencies for the introduction of new or changed air traffic services and facilities arising from such CASA determinations.\n\n    32. Following a decision to change the classification of a volume of airspace, services or facilities required, CASA must progress the change in accordance with its published procedures. That change must be formalised as a legislative instrument, endorsed by the relevant delegate, and published on the Federal Register of Legislation and then through the Australian AIP.\n\n    33. Following a decision to change the classification of a volume of airspace, services, or facilities by CASA, Airservices shall work collaboratively with CASA to bring effect to that decision in a reasonable timeframe acceptable to CASA.\n\n    34. There may be times when urgent decisions are required to meet a safety, national security, or other imperatives, in accordance with the Airspace Regulations, and it may not be practicable to comply with parts of this process.\n\nAustralia’s Future Airspace Framework\n\n    35. In line with the Airspace Act 2007, the Airspace Regulations 2007 and consistent with government policy objectives and the Minister’s Statement of Expectations, CASA shall develop the AFAF. The AFAF will include a long-term strategic airspace plan to support implementation.\n\n36. CASA shall work collaboratively with Airservices, Defence and the Department to develop the AFAF. CASA shall also consult with industry stakeholders and other government agencies to ensure that the needs of all airspace users and service providers are properly considered in the development and maintenance of the AFAF.\n\n37. The AFAF will be risk-based, leveraging CASA’s Airspace Risk Modelling System (ARMS), to inform evidence-based decision making, supported by robust data analysis and the results of the consultation process, in determining Australia’s future airspace needs.\n\n38. CASA shall leverage, where practicable, digital transformation of regulatory application and assessment processes to improve the collection of data for evidence-based decision making, and continue to provide cost effective regulatory services in the face of growing application volumes.\n\n39. The AFAF should support the implementation of advanced ATM and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) traffic management (UTM) technology solutions consistent with government policy directions, and should take into account new technology that may be applied to achieve favourable safety outcomes and broader government policy.\n\n40. The AFAF will contain the design principles for airspace architecture, but will not pre-determine the adoption of a particular classification of airspace. The determination of the classification of airspace should reflect the most appropriate safety and efficiency outcome, as determined by CASA, after completion of a review and having regard to the AFAF, national security requirements and the government’s policy objectives.\n\n41. ICAO SARPs also provide an important basis for airspace administration. The Government requires any deviations from ICAO SARPs to be well justified, documented, and formally notified to ICAO as a difference.\n\n42. The long-term strategic airspace plan is to be proactive and consistent with the review requirements of the Airspace Act 2007 and Airspace Regulations 2007. The plan will also provide transparency to the aviation industry, to allow clear insight into the way in which airspace administrative decisions will be determined and implemented, including through industry consultation.\n\n43. The long-term strategic airspace plan will require ongoing review based on the identification of risks to aviation safety using both quantitative and qualitative analysis, and ultimately the safety judgment of CASA as the airspace regulator.\n\n44. CASA shall ensure that the AFAF and any associated guidance material are maintained and available to a proponent of an airspace change.\n\nReporting Obligations under the AAPS\n\n45. CASA will provide advice on the major initiatives and priorities of the OAR in its corporate plan including those covering the government’s policy objectives outlined in Paragraphs 9 to 16.\n\n46. CASA will publish, and consult on, a Strategic Workplan for the OAR, at least annually, outlining key initiatives and timelines for anticipated reviews and other relevant activities.\n\n47. CASA will include a report on the progress of delivery of all priorities and initiatives under the AAPS as part of broader quarterly reporting to the Minister.\n\n48. CASA will report to the Minister bi-annually on all locations where the residual airspace risk requires further analysis and examination, including the outcome of completed airspace risk reviews.\n\n49. CASA will advise the Minister if it becomes known that the government’s policy objectives outlined in Paragraphs 9 to 16 will not be met during the period of 3 years after this statement was made.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"Glossary of Terms","sectionType":"part","heading":"Glossary of Terms","content":"## Glossary of Terms\n\n| AAM                              | Advanced Air Mobility – Describes an ecosystem of new air transportation technologies for passengers and freight. AAM is a collection of new and emerging aviation ecosystems and technologies, including new aircraft types, various renewable energy systems, distributed propulsion, varying levels of automation and equipage, and various take-off and landing capabilities. |\n| -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| AAPS                             | Australian Airspace Policy Statement – Instrument that provides guidance on the administration of Australian airspace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |\n| ADS-B                            | Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast – An aviation technology that broadcasts an aircraft’s information to allow the aircraft to be accurately tracked by air traffic control and other pilots.                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| AFAF                             | Australian Future Airspace Framework – A concept for the future design of airspace architecture and solutions in Australian-administered airspace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |\n| AIP                              | Aeronautical Information Publication – Published by Airservices, containing aeronautical information of a lasting character essential to air navigation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |\n| Airservices                      | Airservices Australia – Australia’s civilian air navigation service provider.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |\n| ARMS                             | Airspace Risk Modelling System – CASA’s tool for quantitative airspace risk analysis.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| ATC                              | Air Traffic Control – Service provided by ground-based controllers to maintain a safe distance between aircraft and obstacles, within a confined airspace and on the airport surface.                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| ATM                              | Air Traffic Management – Includes ATC, airspace management and air traffic flow management.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |\n| Australian-administered airspace | Australian-administered airspace, for this statement, means:- the airspace over Australian territory; and- airspace that has been allocated by ICAO under the Chicago Convention and for which Australia has accepted responsibility.                                                                                                                                             |\n| CASA                             | Civil Aviation Safety Authority – Australia’s civil aviation safety regulator.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |\n| Chicago Convention               | Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |\n| Defence                          | Department of Defence – Australian Defence Force airspace interests are not limited to the Royal Australian Air Force but Defence airspace interests are usually represented by the Chief of Air Force.                                                                                                                                                                           |\n| Environment protection           | Meaning, as far as practicable, that airspace should be administered in a manner that accords with section 3A of the Airspace Act 2007 and section 9A of the Civil Aviation Act 1988.                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| FRL                              | Federal Register of Legislation – An electronic repository and authoritative source of Commonwealth legislative instruments, explanatory statements and compilations.                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| ICAO                             | International Civil Aviation Organization – United Nations agency which oversees international air navigation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |\n| IFR                              | Instrument Flight Rules – A set of flight rules that assume the visibility conditions are such that instruments must be used to assist with flying.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |\n| OAR                              | Office of Airspace Regulation – Operational unit within CASA that regulates and administers airspace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| RPAS                             | Remotely piloted aircraft system - A remotely piloted aircraft, its associated remote pilot station(s), the required command and control links and any other components as specified in the type design.                                                                                                                                                                          |\n| SARPs                            | Standards and Recommended Practices (ICAO).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |\n| UAS                              | Uncrewed Aircraft Systems – An uncrewed aircraft and its associated elements which are operated with no pilot on board.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |\n| UTM                              | Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management – Refers collectively to the policies, rules, regulations, systems, information, standards, and other elements involved in managing and coordinating uncrewed aircraft operations.                                                                                                                                             |\n| VFR                              | Visual Flight Rules – A set of flight rules that assume visibility is good enough to fly with visual reference to the ground.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"Referenced Documents","sectionType":"part","heading":"Referenced Documents","content":"##   \nReferenced Documents\n\nThis section provides information on the documents referred to in the AAPS and information on how to access the documents.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"Convention on International Civil Aviati","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Convention on International Civil Aviation","content":"#### Convention on International Civil Aviation\n\nAustralia ratified the Convention on International Aviation (1944) (the Chicago Convention) in 1947. The authorised text can be accessed in a number of ways:\n\n-   The Chicago Convention is incorporated as Schedule 1 to the Air Navigation Act 1920 – https://www.legislation.gov.au/C1920A00050\n-   The Chicago Convention can be downloaded from the ICAO website – http://www.icao.int/publications/Pages/doc7300.aspx\n\nArticle 37 of the Chicago Convention empowers ICAO to adopt Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in relation to a range of aviation safety issues and other matters concerned with the safety, regularity, and efficiency of air navigation as may from time to time appear appropriate.\n\nThe SARPs are promulgated by ICAO in Annexes to the Chicago Convention. Article 38 requires Contracting States that do not comply with the SARPs to notify a difference to ICAO. Articles 37 and 38 can be viewed at the links above.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"Annexes to the Chicago Convention and Pr","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Annexes to the Chicago Convention and Procedures for Air Navigation Services","content":"#### Annexes to the Chicago Convention and Procedures for Air Navigation Services\n\nAn overview of the Annexes to the Chicago Convention is available here –\n\nhttp://www.icao.int/safety/airnavigation/NationalityMarks/annexes\\_booklet\\_en.pdf\n\nCopies of the Annexes to the Chicago Convention can be obtained:\n\n-   from the ICAO website – https://store.icao.int/en/annexes; or\n-   from most public libraries.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"Federal Register of Legislation","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Federal Register of Legislation","content":"#### Federal Register of Legislation\n\n    Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation https://www.legislation.gov.au/","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"o Airspace Act 2007","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"o Airspace Act 2007","content":"#### o Airspace Act 2007\n\n    https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2007A00038","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"o Airspace Regulations 2007","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"o Airspace Regulations 2007","content":"#### o Airspace Regulations 2007\n\n    https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2007L01835","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"o Civil Aviation Act 1988","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"o Civil Aviation Act 1988","content":"#### o Civil Aviation Act 1988\n\nhttps://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A03656","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"Aeronautical Information Publication (AI","sectionType":"subdivision","heading":"Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)","content":"#### Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)\n\nThe Australian AIP, and related documents, is available by subscription from Airservices Australia – http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/aip.asp?pg=10\n\nNote: The name of this instrument was amended on registration to include the year of its making (see section 12, Legislation Rules 2026).","sortOrder":17}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Compared with its predecessor (repealed at commencement), this AAPS adds emphasis and new tasks: mandated development of an Australian Future Airspace Framework (AFAF) using ARMS and digital processes (paras 10, 35–39); explicit integration and regulatory pathways for RPAS/AAM/UTM (para 11); placement of Defence officers within the Office of Airspace Regulation with delegated powers (para 8); stronger reporting and transparency obligations for the Office of Airspace Regulation (paras 45–49); and clearer direction to balance national security with equitable access and efficiency (paras 16, 17). These additions expand administrative scope and data/regulatory responsibilities for CASA and partner agencies."},"complexity_factors":["Multi‑agency roles and coordination across CASA, Airservices, Defence and the Department (paras 5–8, 31, 36)","Interaction with primary legislation and international standards (Airspace Act 2007, Civil Aviation Act 1988, ICAO SARPs) requiring differences to be notified (paras 4, 41)","Requirement to develop and maintain a long‑term AFAF that leverages quantitative risk modelling (ARMS) and digital transformation, adding technical and data demands (paras 10, 35–39)","Expanded policy focus on new technologies (RPAS, AAM, UTM, ADS‑B) and fit‑for‑purpose regulatory pathways, increasing regulatory design complexity (paras 11, 39)","Detailed, iterative review and change process: risk/evidence base, public and agency consultation, formal legislative instruments and five‑year review cycles (paras 25–34, 6)","Competing objectives to balance safety, national security, industry needs, cost, environment and equitable access — requiring discretionary judgments (paras 16, 17)","Specific reporting and accountability duties (annual Strategic Workplan, bi‑annual ministerial reports, quarterly ministerial reporting) that increase administrative burden (paras 45–49)","Provision for urgent deviations from the standard process for safety or national security, creating conditional exceptions and potential implementation uncertainty (para 34)"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument is the Australian Airspace Policy Statement 2026. It sets the Commonwealth’s airspace policy objectives and tells the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) how to run Australia’s airspace as a national resource, including developing a long-term Australian Future Airspace Framework (AFAF) and integrating new technologies like remotely piloted aircraft and Advanced Air Mobility.\n\nIt affects CASA, Airservices, Defence and aviation industry participants by changing administrative priorities, review and reporting duties, and the evidence, risk and consultation processes that guide airspace classification and access."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original Airspace Act 2007 established the basic framework for airspace administration. This 2026 Policy Statement significantly expands the scope beyond traditional crewed aviation to explicitly encompass emerging technologies including Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS/drones), Advanced Air Mobility (flying taxis), and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM). It also introduces the Australian Future Airspace Framework (AFAF) as a new strategic planning mechanism, adds specific reporting obligations to the Minister, and formalises Defence integration within CASA's Office of Airspace Regulation. The scope has shifted from static airspace classification to dynamic, technology-responsive airspace management."},"complexity_factors":["Length: Moderate at approximately 50 paragraphs plus a glossary, but highly structured with clear headings","Cross-references: Multiple references to external documents including the Chicago Convention, ICAO Annexes, Airspace Act 2007, Airspace Regulations 2007, and Civil Aviation Act 1988","Defined terms: 21 defined terms in the Glossary of Terms, including technical aviation acronyms (ADS-B, RPAS, AAM, UTM, SARPs)","Conditional logic: Limited — primarily uses 'shall' and 'will' for obligations rather than nested exceptions, though paragraph 34 contains an exception for urgent decisions","Dual audience structure: Written as both binding direction to CASA (mandatory) and guidance to industry (advisory), creating some ambiguity about enforceability of specific provisions","Policy layering: Incorporates multiple overlapping policy objectives (safety, national security, environment, cost, international consistency) that require balancing rather than strict hierarchies"],"plain_english_summary":"The Australian Airspace Policy Statement 2026 directs CASA on managing national airspace, making safety the top priority while balancing efficiency, security, environment and fair access. It creates the Australian Future Airspace Framework to modernise airspace for drones, Advanced Air Mobility and improved surveillance, and embeds Defence coordination within airspace regulation.\n\nIt affects CASA, Airservices, Defence, the aviation industry and the public by shaping how airspace is planned, reviewed and used as new technologies expand."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/australian-airspace-policy-statement-aaps-2026","history":"/api/acts/australian-airspace-policy-statement-aaps-2026/history","analysis":"/api/acts/australian-airspace-policy-statement-aaps-2026/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/australian-airspace-policy-statement-aaps-2026/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/australian-airspace-policy-statement-aaps-2026/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/australian-airspace-policy-statement-aaps-2026/documents"}}