Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Determination 2019

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Legislation au F2019L00378 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Determination 2019

made under subsection 15A(3) of the Air Navigation Act 1920

 

Compilation No. 3 

Compilation date: 14 April 2023

Includes amendments up to: F2023L00435

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Determination 2019 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 14 April 2023 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

 

Part 1Preliminary 1

1 Name....................................................1

3 Authority.................................................1

4 Definitions................................................1

Part 2Permission not required for certain flights 1

6 Categories of flights in respect of which permission not required.............1

7 Single charter flight..........................................2

8 Programs of passenger charter flights...............................2

9 Own-use charter flight.........................................2

10 Charter flight for carriage of homogenous cargo........................3

Endnotes 4

Endnote 1About the endnotes 4

Endnote 2Abbreviation key 5

Endnote 3Legislation history 6

Endnote 4—Amendment history 7

 

 

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Name

This instrument is the Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Determination 2019.

3 Authority

This instrument is made under subsection 15A(3) of the Air Navigation Act 1920.

4 Definitions

Note 1: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in subsection 3(1) of the Act, including the following:

(a)     aircraft;

(b)     non-scheduled flight.

Note 2: In addition, the following expressions are defined in section 15 of the Act in relation to sections 15A to 15F:

(a)     charterer;

(b)     charter operator.

In this instrument:

Act means the Air Navigation Act 1920.

associate means a person who, in relation to another person, is:

(a)    a member of the same unincorporated association; or

(b)    a partner under a partnership agreement.

charter flight means a non-scheduled flight by an aircraft which takes on or discharges passengers, cargo or mail for carriage for reward in Australian territory.

program means a program of charter flights of one or more aircraft conducted

pursuant to an arrangement between a charterer and charter operator.

Note: A program may consist of flights with different origins and destinations.

Part 2—Permission not required for certain flights

6 Categories of flights in respect of which permission not required

For the purposes of subsection 15A(3) of the Act, a permission is not required in relation to a flight if any of sections 7 to 10 apply to it.

7 Single charter flight

This section applies to a charter flight which does not form part of a program.

8 Programs of passenger charter flights

This section applies to a charter flight forming part of a program conducted for the purpose of transporting passengers if all of the following apply:

(a)    all of the flights constituting the program are conducted by aircraft with a seating capacity not exceeding an item in column 2 of Table A;

(b)    the number of flights constituting the program does not exceed the corresponding item in column 3 of Table A;

(c)    within 14 days after the end of the first flight constituting the program, the charter operator gives a written notice to the Secretary setting out the information referred to in paragraphs (a) to (g) of subsection 15C(1) of the Act.

Table A

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Item

Maximum seating capacity

Maximum number of flights in program

1.

10

No limit.

2.

40

5

3.

80

2

 

9 Own-use charter flight

(1) This section applies to a charter flight, whether or not forming part of a program,

if all of the following apply:

(a)    there is a single charterer;

(b)    subsection (2) applies to each passenger carried on the flight (if any);

(c)    the charterer is the owner or lessor of all the cargo carried on the flight (if any) and the purpose of that carriage is for the use or benefit of the charterer.

Note: For the avoidance of doubt, cargo does not include passenger baggage.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), this subsection applies to the following:

(a)    an employee of the charterer;

(b)    a member (including a shareholder) of the charterer;

(c)    a director of the charterer;

(d)    an associate of the charterer;

(e)    an individual contracted to provide services to the charterer;

(f)     an agent of the charterer;

(g)    an individual entitled to passage on a transport service operated by the charterer.

10 Charter flight for carriage of homogenous cargo

This section applies to a charter flight, whether or not forming part of a program, if all of the following apply:

(a)    there is a single charterer;

(b)    the dominant purpose of the flight is the transport of cargo;

(c)    the cargo is homogenous;

(d)    the cargo does not consist of or include a consignment consolidated by a person who carries on business as a freight forwarder.

Note: Each of the following is an example of homogenous cargo for the purposes of paragraph (1)(c):

(a)     cargo consisting of electronics and computer equipment;

(b)     cargo consisting of meat of any number of kinds;

(c)     cargo consisting of animals (including livestock) of any number of species.

 

 

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

orig = original

am = amended

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

amdt = amendment

/subsubparagraph(s)

c = clause(s)

pres = present

C[x] = Compilation No. x

prev = previous

Ch = Chapter(s)

(prev…) = previously

def = definition(s)

Pt = Part(s)

Dict = Dictionary

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

Div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

rep = repealed

effect

rs = repealed and substituted

F = Federal Register of Legislation

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

gaz = gazette

Sch = Schedule(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SR = Statutory Rules

cannot be given effect

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

mod = modified/modification

SubPt = Subpart(s)

No. = Number(s)

underlining = whole or part not

o = order(s)

commenced or to be commenced

Ord = Ordinance

 

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Determination 2019

25 Mar 2019 (F2019L00378)

26 Mar 2019

 

Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Amendment Determination 2020

13 May 2020 (F2020L00571)

14 May 2020

-

Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Amendment Determination 2021

22 Oct 2021 (F2021L01450)

25 Oct 2021 (s 2(1) item 1)

-

Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Amendment Determination 2023

14 Apr 2023

(F2023L00435)

14 Apr 2023 (s 2(1) item 1)

-

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

s 2 ……………………………….

s 5 ……………………………….

 

rep LA s 48D

rep LA s 48C

Part 2

s 7 ……………………………….

s 8 ……………………………….

Schedule 1 ………………………

 

am F2020L00571; F2021L01450; F2023L00435

am F2021L0450; F2023L00435

rep LA s 48C

 

 

 

Overview

The Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Determination 2019 was made under subsection 15A(3) of the Air Navigation Act 1920. This legislative instrument aims to streamline the regulatory environment for commercial non-scheduled flights by exempting certain types of flights from the requirement to obtain specific permission from the relevant authorities. The determination provides clarity and reduces administrative burdens for operators of charter flights, provided they meet specific criteria regarding seating capacity, number of flights, and notification requirements. The objective is to facilitate the operation of these flights while maintaining safety and regulatory standards. The determination was enacted by the Australian Government and outlines categories of flights for which permission is not required, including single charter flights, programs of passenger charter flights, own-use charter flights, and charter flights for the carriage of homogenous cargo. These categories are defined in detail to ensure that the operations remain within the bounds set by the Act. The policy objective is to provide a balanced approach that encourages the commercial aviation sector while ensuring public safety and security.

Scope and Application

The Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Determination 2019, made under subsection 15A(3) of the Air Navigation Act 1920, provides exemptions from certain requirements for commercial non-scheduled flights in Australian territory. This legislative instrument does not require permission for specific categories of charter flights, provided they meet certain conditions. The categories include single charter flights that are not part of a program, programs of passenger charter flights with specific limitations on seating capacity and the number of flights, own-use charter flights where the charterer is the sole user of the aircraft and its cargo, and charter flights primarily for the transport of homogenous cargo. The exemptions apply to flights conducted by aircraft with defined seating capacities and other specified parameters, subject to certain notice requirements to the Secretary. This determination applies across Australian territory and is subject to amendment through subordinate instruments, with recent amendments in 2020, 2021, and 2023. The scope of this determination is limited to the specific types of flights outlined and does not extend to other forms of air navigation activities not covered by these exemptions.

Key Provisions

The Air Navigation (Exemption for Commercial Non-Scheduled Flights) Determination 2019 (the Determination) provides exemptions from certain permissions under the Air Navigation Act 1920 (the Act) for specific categories of commercial non-scheduled flights. Section 6 of the Determination sets out that a permission is not required for flights that fall under any of sections 7 to 10. Section 7 applies to single charter flights, which are charter flights not forming part of a program. Section 8 applies to programs of passenger charter flights, which must meet certain conditions, including the aircraft's seating capacity and the number of flights in the program. Section 9 applies to own-use charter flights, where the charterer must be the owner or lessor of all the cargo, and the passengers must be specific individuals associated with the charterer. Section 10 applies to charter flights for the carriage of homogenous cargo, where the dominant purpose is the transport of such cargo. The Determination imposes obligations on charter operators and charterers to ensure compliance with the specified conditions for exemption. For example, under section 8, charter operators must provide written notice to the Secretary within 14 days after the end of the first flight in the program, including specified information such as the flight schedule and aircraft details. Under section 9, charterers must ensure that the passengers on an own-use charter flight fall within the specified categories, and the cargo must be for their use or benefit. Additionally, under section 10, the cargo must be homogenous and not consolidated by a freight forwarder. Breaches of the conditions specified in the Determination may result in legal consequences. Although the Determination itself does not explicitly outline penalties, breaches of the Act or related regulations could lead to offences and penalties. For instance, under section 215 of the Act, unauthorised flights could result in fines or imprisonment. The specific penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any relevant regulations or subsequent legislation.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.