A CASA, an audit found the airline operating aircraft with “serious and known defects”. Image: Cairns.com.au

A lawyer for suspended air operator, Barrier Aviation, says the airline has approached safety authorities with a letter requesting CASA accelerate its investigation.

Late last year the Cairns based air operator was grounded by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for posing “serious and imminent risk to air safety”.

Although initially suspended for five working days, the safety group has since petitioned to the Federal Court to keep the suspension in effect until at least 15 February 2013 or until CASA has the opportunity to complete its investigation.

Barrier Aviation lawyer Derek Perkins said the operator is working hard to resolve safety issues but stressed the grounding is costing the operator up to AU$28,000 a day, ABC News reported.

According to Mr Perkins, Barrier Aviation is “really willing to cooperate” with regulators and help “satisfy their concerns sooner rather than later”.