A major reform for the air navigation sector is the bill passed this week by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in Parliament, which transforms the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) into a Public Law Entity (PPA).

The debate on the bill was dominated by political controversy over the amendment relating to the Unknown Soldier Monument, which was included in the bill, but the changes to the CAA’s administrative model are now law of the land and aspire to substantially improve its operation. During the debate in Parliament, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Dimas described an anachronistic picture, saying, “Issues such as the cleanliness of the toilets at the Kazantzakis airport in Heraklion or the mowing of lawns at the country’s regional airports require the Minister’s signature.”

As reported by APE-MPA, the administrative transformation aims at the administrative and financial autonomy of the Service and is one of the seven pillars of the Action Plan that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has been implementing in recent months, in cooperation with European bodies (DG MOVE, EASA and EUROCONTROL), with the aim of modernizing Greek air navigation.

The main changes provided for by the new institutional framework are:

Flexible Administrative Structure:

*The CAA will continue to operate as an air navigation management service provider and as an airport management body.

* The CAA’s organisational structures will be reduced by approximately 35%, with the aim of making the Agency more efficient.

Better use and strengthening of staff:

* 2,407 permanent and FTE posts are created.

* Vacant posts are filled by notices issued by the ASEP.

* Movements of employees, in particular to regional airports, to cover seasonal or exceptional needs.

* Utilisation of surplus staff from Fraport’s concessionary airports.

* Strengthening of regional airports.

* Providing specialized training for CAA staff.

Financial autonomy:

* The CAA prepares an independent budget, balance sheet and report, and acquires a Project Regulation, in order to ensure the rapid completion of projects for the modernization of air navigation systems and the necessary infrastructure.

* Utilisation of EUROCONTROL revenues.

The 7 pillars of the Action Plan and Recruitment

The administrative reform of the CAA is one of the seven pillars of the Action Plan, while the other six relate to the following:

1. Monitoring and Coordination of the Action Plan concerns the coordination and structured monitoring of all activities included in the Action Plan for Compliance with EU Law in the field of Air Traffic Management (ATM).

2. Development of DataLink Services (DLS). They are technological systems comprising software, hardware and procedures that enable the secure digital exchange of information between aircraft and air traffic controllers.

3. Upgrade of the central Air Traffic Management System (ATM)/DPS Upgrade (TopSky ATC One). The upgraded system is one of the most modern in the world, TOP SKY ATC ONE.

4. Integrated Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) application. Its objective is to modernize the Greek airspace with more efficient and environmentally friendly flight modes, using modern approaches (RNP) and redesigning the areas around airports (TMAs).

5. Installation of new ModeS-enabled radars and updated specifications. Includes upgrading seven radars through the Pallas T1 project, procuring eight new ones, integrating with the radar network and connecting to the TopSky DPS for full functionality.

6. Full implementation of Regulation CP1. Covers system updates, transition procedures and technical frameworks.

Recruitment

Almost simultaneously with the transformation of the CAA into an NPA, the recruitment of the first group of successful candidates, Air Traffic Controllers, of the relevant competition of the AΣEP was announced, as the relevant procedure had already been launched in 2024.

Speaking at the Parliament, Mr Dimas announced the planning of the recruitment of qualified personnel at the CAA. As the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport said, the swearing-in of 80 new air traffic controllers took place on October 7, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s planning provides for the recruitment of 17 more controllers within the year and another 72 from the same pool of successful candidates of the ASEP in 2026. At the same time, the recruitment process is also progressing in other key disciplines, namely 43 new electronic ATSEPs this year and another 44 in 2026. Also planned for next year are 28 recruitments of information officers (AFISO).

Essentially, with the above package of actions: the administrative reform, the Action Plan with the modernization of technological systems and the recruitment of key field specialists, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is attempting to fill any gaps left behind by the period of economic crisis in the Greek aviation industry, which is called upon to cope with an ever-increasing volume of flight work.

As Mr Dimas said in his speech: “We are creating a modern, self-reliant and economically viable Service, more efficient and effective, committed to its objectives and able to continue to support the country’s development course and ensure the safety and quality of air transport.”