WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao's proposed aviation legislation has prompted questions about whether the Curaçao Civil Aviation Authority (CBA) has sufficient personnel, financial resources, and operational independence to carry out its expanded responsibilities.
Several parliamentary factions have warned that stronger aviation regulations will have limited practical value unless the authority responsible for enforcing them has the necessary capacity.
The concerns are outlined in a parliamentary committee report examining the proposed Aviation Ordinance.
MAN-PIN wants the government to disclose the CBA's current staffing levels, the number of vacancies, the availability of qualified inspectors, and the annual budget required to perform inspections, certification, supervision, and enforcement.
The faction also questions whether the CBA has adequate information technology systems and technical expertise to meet international aviation requirements.
PAR has requested similar information, emphasizing that aviation inspectors must be able to make safety decisions without political or commercial interference.
According to PAR, an inspector must be able to stop an unsafe aviation operation even when doing so creates financial consequences for an airline or airport operator.
The party has asked the government to submit a five-year financial and implementation plan covering personnel, training, equipment, digital systems, and operational expenses.
PAR also questions the explanatory memorandum's indication that the legislation will not create additional pressure on government finances.
The faction wants the government to demonstrate how expanded regulatory responsibilities can be carried out without additional expenditure.
MFK has focused on the CBA's financial independence, asking whether revenue from the aviation safety charge is sufficient to meet the requirements associated with international aviation oversight.
The governing party also wants to know whether the authority is building financial reserves to withstand future disruptions similar to those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The parliamentary questions reflect a shared concern across political parties: the effectiveness of the new aviation framework will depend on the institution responsible for implementing it.
The committee report does not provide the CBA's current staffing figures, vacancy totals, or available financial reserves.
Parliament is requesting those details before completing its consideration of the proposed legislation.