Aviation boss vows he won't be pushed

Embattled Civil Aviation Authority director John Jones says calls for his resignation are a distraction from efforts to improve aviation safety.

The future of Mr Jones and the authority's board has come under close scrutiny since the release of Christchurch coroner Richard McElrea's highly critical inquest into the 2003 Air Adventures crash.

Mr McElrea found the deaths of the eight people killed in the crash were preventable and made several safety recommendations concerning CAA.

On Tuesday, Transport Minister Annette King met with CAA chairman Ron Tannock, who said afterwards the authority had to face up to its role in the crash.

On Wednesday, National Transport spokesman Maurice Williamson asked Ms King to confirm rumours that Mr Jones had resigned.

Mr Jones told the Herald he had not resigned, had not been asked to resign, and no dismissal proceedings or disciplinary measures had been taken against him: "Those things are always upsetting, but I certainly haven't resigned and I don't have any intention to.

"It's very upsetting, particularly when you see it in the media, but I've got to keep on. I'm still the CEO here and director, and bear in mind we've got one of the best aviation systems in the world and it's regarded that way. The credibility of what we've done in the last few years is out there for people to see."

Mr Jones acknowledged the CAA's credibility had come under fire in recent days but said the attacks were unjustified.

"From where we're coming from, we're actually achieving results.The results have been very positive, particularly in the general aviation area [1-9 seater aircraft]."

The CAA has agreed to implement all of the coroner's recommendations, as well as those from earlier Audit Office investigations of the authority. It is to report monthly to the Transport Minister and make those reports public.

Mr Williamson said Mr Tannock and the CAA board should resign: "The aviation industry has a very high level of confidence in John Jones, but almost none in the chairman and board."