For each delivery of a new aircraft type, CAAS officers work to ensure that the aircraft type satisfies all regulatory requirements.

Fresh from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) first Airbus A350-900 arrived at Changi Airport with much excitement on 3 March 2016. The arrival marks a milestone for the island’s national carrier, cementing its network connectivity, overall capacity growth, and aircraft fleet renewal strategy of maintaining a young and modern fleet. The 67 A350s SIA currently has on firm order will allow for flights to more long-haul destinations on a nonstop basis, boosting network competitiveness and developing the Singapore air hub.

Rarely seen, however, is the behind the scenes work that takes place for each delivery of a new aircraft type in Singapore, to ensure that the aircraft is safe and ready to take to the skies. 

For the A350 arrival, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) sent a team, comprising engineers, pilots, and cabin safety specialists, to the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse to ensure that the new aircraft type brought into service by the Singapore air operator satisfies all regulatory requirements. In addition to the airworthiness of the aircraft, CAAS officers also verified that the air operator has established procedures and processes to safely operate the new aircraft type, wherever it is deployed to. This means that the pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance personnel under the air operator must be trained and proficient on the new aircraft type. 

After confirming that the aircraft conforms to CAAS’ requirements, the aircraft was awarded the Certificate of Airworthiness, paving the way for its official addition to SIA’s fleet.

Head over to CAAS’ Facebook page for more behind-the-scenes photos on the CAAS team working to ensure safety in the skies!