The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is meeting aviation and aerospace industry leaders in Northern Ireland to strengthen its ties.
The regulator said the visit would look at how progress was being made on sustainability, delivering innovations and improving the passenger experience.
During the two-day visit, the regulator’s Chair Sir Stephen Hillier, Chief Executive Rob Bishton, and board members are visiting both Belfast International and Belfast City airports.
They will also visit Spirit AeroSystems, and meet students and tour Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
As part of the visit, a CAA Board meeting is also being held.
Northern Ireland visit
This forms part of the UK CAA’s ongoing engagement with industry to understand the range of perspectives from the multiple areas it regulates and to help inform decision-making for the benefit of industry, consumers, and the public.
Sir Stephen said: “The UK’s aviation and aerospace sector continues to grow and is moving towards a more sustainable future as we reduce emissions, use new technologies, and improve the passenger experience.
“As the regulator, we have a role in enabling innovation, so it is important we engage with our stakeholders in Northern Ireland and across the UK to witness the work being done to secure a safer, more innovative, and sustainable future for aviation both in the UK and internationally.”
During the visit, Sir Stephen, Rob Bishton and Board members are celebrating the work of Belfast International Airport as part of its 60th anniversary and also visiting Belfast City Airport to better understand the processes and challenges faced by both airports.
The visit also provides an opportunity to tour the wing factory of the world’s largest first-tier aerostructures manufacturer at Spirit AeroSystems, a historic site of the Short brothers’ airplane production and where Airbus A220 wings are made today.
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