Civil Aviation Amendment Act, 2021: Commencement Date Gazetted

Posted 12 October 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Transport & Aviation

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The commencement date for the Civil Aviation Amendment Act, No. 22 of 2021 has been formally proclaimed, with the statute coming into operation on 12 October 2026.

By presidential proclamation, the enactment amends the Civil Aviation Act, No. 13 of 2009 to resolve operational deficiencies affecting civil aviation safety, security, and accident investigations. A key purpose of the amendment is addressing Chapter 4 of the principal Act, which established the Aviation Safety Investigation Board but was largely never promulgated due to practical and administrative difficulties.

The Civil Aviation Amendment Act, No. 22 of 2021 provides the regulatory and structural framework necessary to operationalise these dormant safety mandates. The legislative amendments introduce revised management and governance directives, including:

  • The institutional establishment, administrative management, and operational functioning of the Aviation Safety Investigation Board;
  • Structured statutory processes for conducting independent investigations into civil aviation incidents and accidents; and
  • Refined regulatory arrangements to enforce international civil aviation safety and security protocols.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Aviation and transport law practitioners must review the amended investigation and reporting provisions to ensure advice reflects the updated statutory framework taking effect in October 2026.
  • For your business: Advisory and compliance practices serving the transport sector must update legal compliance registers and audit checklists to incorporate the restructured accident investigation board authority.
  • For your clients: Air service operators, aerodrome license holders, and aviation maintenance organisations must review internal safety management systems and mandatory occurrence reporting protocols to align with the revised statutory requirements ahead of 12 October 2026.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/civil-aviation-2021-amendment-act-in-force

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