Airbus in Australia secures CASA design approval

Brisbane, 14 October 2026 - The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has granted 21.J Civil Design Organisation approval to Airbus in Australia. The milestone strengthens the local Airbus operation to support customers in Australia and expands its civil design capability.

This enables Airbus’ local engineering team, based in Brisbane, to independently carry out and approve design activities, structural modifications, repair design, and technical data for a wide range of aircraft.

The approval by CASA allows Airbus engineers in the country to work on small general aviation aircraft, large passenger transport jets, and both small and large helicopters, across six critical domains: Structures, Mechanical Systems, Electrical Systems, Instruments, Radio systems, and Cabin systems.

To secure this approval, the Airbus team in Australia demonstrated to CASA the capability to design, certify and approve repair designs and changes on civil aircraft. Earning this level of approval with zero additional limitations or conditions is a testament to the uncompromising safety standards and technical rigor embedded in Airbus’s design assurance systems.

“This is a great example of industry working collaboratively with CASA on a complex task that provides significant benefit to the Airbus operations in Australia,” said Richard Stocker, CASA National Manager Airworthiness and Engineering.

“The 21.J approval enables the Airbus team in Australia to approve its own aircraft repair and modification designs and appoint authorised persons within the scope of their organisational privileges. CASA will conduct oversight of Australian Airbus operations consistent with our established procedures,” he added.

“Our teams are now able to provide end-to-end, locally driven engineering solutions right here in Australia, this translates into faster turn-around times for customers in this region,” said Jacques Du Plessis, Head of Operations at Airbus in Australia.

“This achievement reinforces Airbus’s long-standing commitment to the Australian aviation industry and our dedication to growing sovereign aerospace capability. We are ensuring that Airbus remains at the forefront of supporting safe, efficient, and innovative flight operations across the continent for decades to come,” he said.