NPRMs open for submission

A Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) asks for comments on the proposed rule changes during a consultation period where anyone can make a submission.

About the consultation process

Public consultation on proposed rules is required under the Civil Aviation Act. The CAA drafts civil aviation rules and carries out public consultation on draft rules on behalf of the Minister of Transport.

Submissions received on draft rules are summarised and analysed. The results are published as a summary of public submissions, with a copy of the NPRM, under:

NPRMs closed for submissions

The proposed rules will be reconsidered to take into account the submissions received. If necessary, we undertake further consultation with key groups before submitting proposed rules to government.

How to make a submission

Electronic (form below, or PDF) submissions are preferred to assist in compiling, but submissions can still be sent by post, or delivered in person.

Official Information Act

Submitters should note that subject to the Official Information Act 1982, any information attached to submissions will become part of the docket file and will be available to the public for examination at the CAA offices in the Asteron Centre, 55 Featherston Street, Wellington.

Submitters should state clearly if there is any information in their submission that is commercially sensitive, or for some other reason the submitter does not want the information to be released to other interested parties. The CAA will consider this in making a decision in respect of any Official Information Act requests. It should be noted that the CAA cannot guarantee confidentiality in respect of any specific submissions.

NPRMs open for submission

Part 139 NPRM

Proposed amendments to Civil Aviation Rule Part 139 [PDF 755 KB]

Purpose of this NPRM and definitions

1. The proposals aim to resolve issues with RESA length requirements and allow for the use of arresting systems at New Zealand airports. The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) is proposing amendments to Civil Aviation Rule Part 139 Aerodromes – Certification Operation and Use (Part 139) on runway end safety areas (RESA).
2. A Runway End Safety Area (RESA) is an area at the end of a runway that reduces aircraft damage and improve safety if an aircraft underruns or overruns the runway. A RESA can incorporate an arresting system.
3. An arresting system is a safety mechanism designed to decelerate an aeroplane overrunning the runway.

What is a RESA?

A Runway End Safety Area (RESA) is an area at the end of a runway designed to reduce aircraft damage and improve safety if an aircraft underruns or overruns the runway. An arresting system is a safety mechanism designed to decelerate an aeroplane overrunning the runway.

Summary of key proposals

CAA proposes to:

• align Part 139 Appendix A.1 Requirements for RESA with ICAO SARPs
• amend Part 139 to allow the Director of Civil Aviation to make transport instruments under Part 10, subpart 3 of the Act, making it easier to update rules. This would be done by creating a new rule 139.20
• amend rule 139.51 to allow for a transport instrument to be made for the use of arresting systems
• amend rule 139.103 to require the holder of an aerodrome certificate to provide for arresting systems to be maintained
• provide technical design standards for arresting systems under rule 139.51 in a transport instrument, along with compliance guidance in an advisory circular
• amend Civil Aviation Rule Part 1: Definitions and Abbreviations to include a definition for arresting systems
• correct minor editorial errors in rules 139.51, 139.107, 139.131, 139.203, 139.209, 139.351, 139.353, and 139.355.

No new or changed offences and penalties or transitional periods are proposed.

No changes to existing grandparenting provisions are proposed. These provisions may need to be reviewed but are out of scope for this NPRM.

It is intended that all the proposals will come into force in late July 2026.

Paragraphs 28 to 46 on pages 12-14 of the NPRM provide more detail on the proposals and paragraph 66 shows the proposals in rule format.

See here for more information about Transport instruments.

Consultation on this NPRM closes on 11 May 2026 at 11:59pm.

The AC related to this NPRM is also open for consultation. If you would like to view the Part 139 AC and provide feedback, please see Advisory Circulars open for consultation.

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