KEY POINTS:
Maritime New Zealand director Russell Kilvington has been appointed interim director of Civil Aviation, replacing embattled Civil Aviation director John Jones, who resigned in September.
Mr Jones had been under fire for several months after a coroner's report into the June 2003 Air Adventures crash near Christchurch Airport, which killed pilot Michael Bannerman and seven Crop and Food Research staff.
Civil Aviation Authority chairman Rick Bettle announced Mr Kilvington's appointment yesterday. He will hold the position for six months, from December 1.
Mr Kilvington has been chief executive and director of Maritime NZ for 13 years and announced his retirement some time ago. He has been released early by the Maritime NZ Board to take up the new job.
Mr Bettle said the fixed-term appointment would enable the authority to undertake "a robust and considered process" to recruit a permanent replacement for Mr Jones, who will retire on Thursday.
Mr Jones will stay at the CAA on a contract to provide expert advice.
- NZPA
