SPAIN is moving forward with the creation of a new independent body that will oversee the technical investigation of accidents and incidents across the railway, maritime and civil aviation sectors, replacing the country’s long-standing modal-based investigation structure, including the Railway Accident Investigation Commission (CIAF).
The Independent Administrative Authority for the Technical Investigation of Railway, Maritime and Civil Aviation Accidents and Incidents (AAI-TIA) was established by law in 2024 and has now entered its implementation phase following the approval of its organisational statute in February 2026.
Congress approved the appointment of Gonzalo Julián Guillén Espejo-Saavedra as president of the new body on May 26. Guillén will be aided by a six-member executive branch, with two members each representing the rail, aviation and maritime sectors.
However, the appointment of one the two rail representatives, Adolfo Moreno Díaz, an independent safety advisor and a member of CIAF, was blocked during the congressional hearing. Moreno served as head of security at Renfe during the Angrois accident in 2013, in which 80 people died, with his proposed appointment criticised by associations representing victims of the accident. The other rail nominee is Jorge Navacerrada Álvarez.
The AAI-TIA consolidates responsibilities previously held by three separate investigation commissions attached to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. According to the government, the reform is intended to strengthen the independence of accident investigations while improving efficiency. The new body will focus on improving transport safety through the prevention of future accidents and incidents. To achieve this, it will conduct technical investigations aimed at identifying causes and issuing safety recommendations and corrective measures.
The AAI-TIA will also be responsible for analysing emerging safety risks and trends across the three transport modes. It will propose regulatory and legislative improvements to the government and Parliament, and provide support to victims, their families and representative organisations during technical investigations
The authority is expected to begin operating during the second half of 2026.
