Barrier Aviation sells assets in bid to continue flying

Far north Queensland-based airline Barrier Aviation is continuing to shed assets to fund a legal battle to resume flying in northern Australia.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) grounded Barrier Aviation in December amid concerns about maintenance and plane defects.

It cancelled the Cairns-based company's air operator's certificate in March after further investigations.

The grounding forced Barrier Aviation to shed staff and the company's managing director David Kilin says besides himself and his business partner, only two remain.

Mr Kilin says the company has divested its assets in Darwin, Gove and Horn Island and is trying to sell several airplanes and vehicles but it is determined to fight CASA's decision and return to the skies.

The matter will be mentioned in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in Sydney later this month, ahead of a hearing in December.

Mr Kilin says he is frustrated by the delays but determined to challenge CASA's findings in court.

He says his company made an application for a new air operator's certificate when it was due in May.

Mr Kilin says CASA recently rejected Barrier's application and the company is also hoping to challenge that decision.

Source:   http://www.abc.net.au