The Transport Workers Union wants AirAsia banned from Australian airspace.

The call came after the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) announced it would increase it surveillance of the airline, following the crash of Flight QZ8501 late last year.

CASA says that Indonesia AirAsia “is subject to enhanced surveillance following the accident”.

“As part of this enhanced surveillance, CASA conducted ramp inspections of IAA aircraft throughout January and found no safety concerns during these inspections,” it said.

The safety authorities will continue “monitoring the situation closely and will take relevant action as required”.

A ban could easily become a point of tension between Canberra and Jakarta, but the TWU says AirAsia should be grounded until CASA’s investigations are complete.

The union is concerned that the airline’s pilot training and aircraft maintenance may not be of a standard acceptable to Australian authorities.

TWU federal secretary Tony Sheldon says the public is right to demand greater transparency over the cause of the crash, and what it could mean for other services.

“We want to see greater transparency and do not want to have to wait several months before an official report from Indonesia is made public,” he said.

Mr Sheldon said leaked information on the crash “appears to question pilot training”.

“Passengers flying in Australia must be able to make informed choices about the airline they travel with,” he said.