Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • CAA appointment of new Safety and Airspace Regulation Director

Aerospace

CAA appointment of new Safety and Airspace Regulation Director

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has confirmed the appointment of Rob Bishton as its new Group Director of Safety and Airspace Regulation.

Rob has been at the CAA since 2014, where he is currently Head of Flight Operations and a member of the Safety and Airspace Regulation’s senior leadership team. He has extensive experience in the aviation industry, including as former Operations Director at Fastjet and as a commercial pilot with over 10,000 flying hours. Rob also brings significant board experience and is currently a non-executive director of the UK Flight Safety Committee. He is also a former general aviation helicopter pilot and intends to start flying light aircraft again.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

He will take up his new post on 6 November and will assume accountability for all the CAA's safety and airspace regulatory functions. He will also become an executive director and sit on the CAA board. Rob will take over from Mark Swan, who is leaving the CAA after 11 years to take up the new role of Head of the Airspace Change Organising Group (ACOG).

Richard Moriarty, Chief Executive of the CAA, said: “I am delighted to appoint Rob as Group Director of Safety and Airspace Regulation. His drive, focus, and experience will be crucial as we tackle some of the big issues in aviation in the coming years.  Rob has already made a huge impact on the CAA in his current role, and I look forward to working closely with him as we undertake our most important duty – protecting the travelling public.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“I’d also like to offer my most heartfelt thanks to Mark Swan, who leaves the CAA after 11 years. Mark has reformed the way the CAA approaches our safety regulation, introducing performance-based oversight, and has made an enormous impact on the culture of the organisation. He will be much-missed, and we all wish him the best for his new role, where we will no doubt still have the opportunity to work together as we strive to modernise airspace.”

Commenting on his appointment, Rob Bishton, said: “I am really thrilled to be stepping into this role at such a critical time for UK aviation. Whether it is the integration of drones into our skies or the modernisation of the UK’s airspace, we are in the midst of both a challenging and rewarding period. I look forward to working with colleagues as well as the whole sector – both commercial and general aviation – so that we can continue to lay claim to one of the safest aviation systems in the world.”

Advertisement
PTC PTC
Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

Aerospace

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

8 July 2025

Viasat today announced a milestone for its JetXP business aviation in-flight broadband service, following recent test flights that successfully connected the Global Aero Terminal (GAT) 5510 to a ViaSat-3 satellite for the first time.

ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

Aerospace

ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

8 July 2025

Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced major student and faculty achievements resulting from the use of ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 Flight Simulator, which provides hands-on experience in aircraft design and performance evaluation, directly contributing to a growing body of student-led research and academic ...

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

8 July 2025

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has had its busiest June ever, with a record 1,360,957 passengers travelling through the airport last month.

Advanced Engineering 2025 extends additives and composites spotlight

Aerospace Events

Advanced Engineering 2025 extends additives and composites spotlight

7 July 2025

Taking place on 29th and 30th October 2025 at the NEC Birmingham, Advanced Engineering will have a new expanded Composites Pavilion, SME Village, the ADS Pavilion, AM2 Forum (Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Forum) and a focused Electronics Zone.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
CAA appoints experts to strengthen economic regs and growth

Aerospace

CAA appoints experts to strengthen economic regs and growth

7 July 2025

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has appointed a team of specialists at the forefront of economics and competition policy to provide strategic advice to the aviation regulator on economic regulation and the challenges and opportunities in enabling the aviation sector to transform and grow.

Skyports and Ajman Transport to advance AAM in Ajman

Aerospace

Skyports and Ajman Transport to advance AAM in Ajman

7 July 2025

Ajman Transport Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Skyports Infrastructure, with the aim of exploring opportunities for cooperation in the field of advanced air mobility (AAM) for smart aerial transport, including air taxi services, in the Emirate.

Advertisement
Leonardo RT