The Croatian Civil Aviation Agency has reorganised its internal structure with the aim of increasing the specialisation of its organisational units, improving the allocation of responsibilities and resources, and preparing for new European and international regulatory requirements.

The changes are intended to further strengthen staff expertise, develop new competencies and improve cooperation with the Croatian aviation industry, operators and other stakeholders. The new organisational structure should provide a clearer division of responsibilities, more effective oversight of individual areas and further strengthen the safety of civil aviation in Croatia.

The most significant changes have been introduced within the Flight Operations, Training, Airworthiness and Licensing Division, the Agency’s largest organisational unit. A new General Aviation Department has been established within the division, focusing specifically on the safety, regulatory matters and development of general aviation.

The former Flight Approvals Section has been upgraded to the Flight Approvals Department, while the Licensing Department has become the Training and Licensing Department, with expanded responsibilities. At the same time, the former Flight Operations and Training Department will now operate as the Flight Operations Department.

Responsibilities related to air carrier licensing have been transferred to the Economic Regulation and Oversight Department. The separate SAFA/SACA Section has been abolished, although the role of national coordinator for these programmes has been retained.

Significant changes have also been introduced within the Aerodromes, Ground Handling, Air Navigation Services and Air Traffic Management Division. The former Aerodromes Department has been divided into several specialised organisational units to improve the quality of oversight and operational efficiency.

The Airports Department, National Aerodromes Department and Ground Handling Department have been established. The creation of the latter is linked, among other things, to preparations for the implementation of new European regulations governing the provision and oversight of ground handling services.

An Aviation Obstacles Section is also being established within the division, while the Unmanned Aircraft Department is being transferred to this organisational unit. This arrangement should enable closer integration of unmanned aircraft matters with infrastructure, airspace management and future regulatory challenges.

The reorganisation also covers the Legal and Corporate Affairs Division, particularly in the area of human resources management. A separate Human Resources Department is being established, while the existing Legal Affairs, Human Resources and Registry Department is being renamed the Legal Affairs and Registry Department.

Under the new structure, the Agency plans to improve workforce planning, competency development, employee training and overall organisational development.

The reorganisation of the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency comes at a time when the European aviation regulatory framework is developing rapidly, particularly in the areas of unmanned aircraft, ground handling, general aviation and new technologies. More specialised organisational units should enable the Agency to respond to these changes more effectively, improve oversight of Croatia’s aviation system and communicate more efficiently with the industry.