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Aviation Safety

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The European Union prioritizes the safety of its citizens in the skies, establishing a comprehensive aviation safety system recognized for its high standards.
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  1. Safety Framework and Oversight
    • The EU's aviation safety framework comprises shared safety rules, diligently overseen by the European Commission, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and National Aviation Authorities.
    • These uniform rules are applicable across all EU Member States and span crucial aviation areas like airworthiness, aircrew qualifications, aerodrome operations, air operations, and air navigation services.
  2. Safety Management
    • Central to the EU’s aviation safety strategy is the occurrence reporting system, which involves the reporting, analysis, and follow-up of safety-related events in civil aviation.
    • This system is complemented by common rules on accident investigations, aimed at understanding and preventing the recurrence of adverse events.
  3. Drone Regulations
    • Drones, whether for passenger transport or cargo, are subject to stringent EU safety regulations.
    • The EU promotes the sustainable growth of drone operations, recognizing their potential for diverse applications like agricultural innovation and firefighting.
    • European rules are designed to ensure that the burgeoning use of drones aligns with the highest safety standards and garners societal acceptance, especially as automation expands their operational range.
  4. EU Air Safety List
    • The EU maintains the Air Safety List, which prohibits or imposes restrictions on third-country air carriers that do not meet international safety standards, from operating in European skies.
    • This list also serves to inform passengers about the safety status of various carriers.
  5. Safety Assessments and Inspections
    • The assessment of third-country air carriers operating in European airspace is entrusted to EASA.
    • EASA oversees the Third Country Operator Authorization system and conducts ramp inspections under the Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) program to ensure compliance with safety standards.
  6. International Collaboration
    • Recognizing the global nature of aviation, the EU actively engages in international cooperation for aviation safety. 
    • This includes participation in the work of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), implementation of technical cooperation projects, and the negotiation of bilateral aviation safety agreements with crucial global partners. More...

​Through this multifaceted approach, the EU not only ensures the safety of its airspace but also contributes significantly to setting and maintaining high safety standards in global aviation.

Aviation Safety Rules

The EU aviation safety system relies on common safety rules as its foundation, ensuring uniform requirements for operators, manufacturers, and aviation personnel.

​This facilitates the flow in the internal market and allows for mutual recognition of safety certificates, reducing administrative burdens. The European Commission, guided by technical opinions from ​European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), adopts these rules, which further develop and implement the essential requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139.

Aerodromes

An aerodrome, a key part of an airport, is crucial for aircraft operations. Its design and safety equipment, including aerodrome operators and groundhandling services, are vital for the safety of aircraft, vehicles, and people present. The EU's detailed legal framework for aerodromes, encompassing these aspects, is outlined in  Regulation (EU) No 139/2014.

> Go to EASA Agency for more

Air Operations

An aerodrome is the part of an airport that is used by aircraft. Its design, its safety-related equipment and operations, including aerodrome operators, apron management services and groundhandling operations help ensure the safety of aircraft, as well as other vehicles and persons present.

​The EU’s comprehensive legal framework on aerodromes is contained in Regulation (EU) No 139/2014.

> Go to EASA Agency for more

Air Traffic Management and Air Navigation Services (ATM/ANS)

​Ensuring safe air navigation and high safety levels in air travel is crucial for the smooth operation of Europe's air transport system and is a key aspect of the Single European Sky. The EU has established safety rules for airspace use, air traffic management (ATM/ANS) services, air traffic controllers, and air navigation systems. EASA monitors these rules' implementation, certifies pan-European services, and supports the strategy for air navigation modernization.

> Go to EASA Agency for more

Aircrew and Flight Time Limitations

The EU has established a robust legal framework to guarantee the competence and safety of pilots and aircrews, focusing on practical skills and knowledge gained through training rather than merely meeting formal prerequisites.

Aircrew Certification:
  • European regulations emphasize the acquisition of real-world competencies through comprehensive training programs for pilots and aircrews.
  • The emphasis is on ensuring that aircrew members possess the necessary skills and judgment to operate flights safely, shifting away from a sole focus on formal education and certification requirements.
Flight Time Limitations (FTL):
  • The rules on Flight Time Limitations are integral to maintaining air safety, imposing responsibilities on Member States, airlines, and aircrews to manage duty rosters prudently.
  • FTL rules establish clear limits on flight duty periods per day, week, month, and year. They also dictate minimum rest requirements per day and month, which are adjusted based on the aircrew's recent duties.
  • The primary objective of these rules is to ensure that flight and cabin crew members maintain a high level of alertness and are adequately rested to perform their safety-critical functions on board aircraft effectively.
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​These regulations reflect the EU's commitment to high safety standards in aviation by prioritizing the well-being and proficiency of pilots and aircrews, ensuring that they are well-prepared to manage the demands of their roles.

More about aircrew certification

Airworthiness

Airworthiness refers to an aircraft's suitability for safe flight under all conditions it's designed to encounter. This involves maintaining the aircraft's structural integrity throughout its entire lifecycle, across various operations and environments.


Initial Certification:
  • The process of certifying an aircraft, known as initial airworthiness, ensures that it meets stringent safety and environmental standards before entering service.
  • In the EU, this certification is conducted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on behalf of the Member States.
  • The technical requirements and administrative procedures for this certification process are detailed in  Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.

​Continuing Airworthiness:
  • To maintain an aircraft's fitness for flight throughout its operational life, 'continuing airworthiness activities' are undertaken.
  • These activities are crucial for ensuring that an aircraft continues to meet safety standards and operates reliably.
  • The standards and procedures for continuing airworthiness are outlined in Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014.

This comprehensive approach to airworthiness, encompassing both initial certification and ongoing maintenance activities, underscores the EU's commitment to maintaining the highest levels of safety and reliability in aviation. More...

Aviation Safety and International Cooperation

The EU recognizes aviation safety as a global priority and actively promotes it through international cooperation, understanding that enhanced safety standards benefit not only the European aviation industry but also the global community.

​Global Concern and EU's Role:
  • Acknowledging that aviation safety is a worldwide concern, the EU endeavors to uplift global safety standards, particularly in regions with less developed aviation infrastructure or insufficient safety regulations.
  • The 2015 'Aviation Strategy for Europe' emphasizes the EU's commitment to strengthening its role in international aviation safety, aligning with its ambitious external aviation policy.

Supporting Global Safety Oversight:
  • With international safety standards implementation estimated at around 63% worldwide in 2016, the EU aims to assist countries struggling to establish or maintain sustainable safety oversight systems.
  • Through various technical assistance and cooperation initiatives, the EU actively contributes to enhancing aviation safety on a global scale, especially in regions with high accident rates.

Harmonizing International Standards:
  • The EU fosters international cooperation in aviation safety to harmonize standards globally, benefiting passengers and the aeronautical industry alike.
  • Long-standing cooperative arrangements are sought with major aeronautical partners. Bilateral aviation safety agreements with nations like the USA, Canada, Brazil, China, and Japan facilitate cooperation between Civil Aviation Authorities, ensuring top-tier aviation safety.
  • The EU also partakes in multilateral safety cooperation through its involvement with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The European Union actively contributes to global aviation development through technical assistance and cooperation, emphasizing safety, expertise promotion, and industry support. ​Key initiatives include:
    • Aviation Partnership Projects (APP): Funded by the EU, these projects foster aviation ties with regions like Latin America & the Caribbean, South and North Asia, and Southeast Asia. Objectives include regulatory convergence, promotion of EU standards, dialogue enhancement, and market access facilitation for the EU aviation industry.
    • Technical Cooperation in Africa and Neighbourhood Regions: Aiming to bolster safety surveillance capacity, endorse EU safety standards, and encourage regional cooperation in aviation safety.
    • Support for Air Safety List Countries: Provision of technical assistance to countries with restricted airlines, utilizing short-term expert missions to elevate safety performance.

These efforts, led by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), align with the ICAO's goal of inclusive global aviation development, a mission strongly backed by the European Union.

Pan-European Dimension of Aviation Safety:
  • In relations with neighboring countries, especially those with a special relationship with the EU, safety is paramount.
  • Countries involved in international agreements with the EU, such as the European Common Aviation Area agreement, are obliged to adhere to the Union's aviation safety regulations.
  • These states can engage in the European safety system and contribute to the work of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Participation in the Union's  Ramp Inspections Programmes (SAFA/SACA) is also facilitated, with a total of 47 states taking part in the SAFA Ramp Inspection Programme.

​In summary, the EU's approach to aviation safety is comprehensive and collaborative, seeking not only to enhance safety within its borders but also to elevate standards and practices worldwide through strategic partnerships and cooperation.

Legislation

European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is the centerpiece of the European Union's strategy for aviation safety.
Its mission is to ensure the highest levels of safety standards for all aviation activities in Europe and globally.

Key aspects of EASA include:

  1. Regulatory Role:
    • EASA develops common safety and environmental rules at the European level. It works on drafting legislation and provides technical advice to the European Commission and to the EU Member States.
  2. Certification:
    • The agency certifies aircraft and components that are used in the EU, ensuring they meet safety and environmental standards. It also approves organizations involved in the design, manufacture, and maintenance of aeronautical products.
  3. Oversight:
    • EASA oversees the application of EU standards through inspections in the Member States and provides necessary training and support to ensure the rules are applied uniformly.
  4. International Cooperation:
    • The agency works closely with international stakeholders to improve aviation safety worldwide and ensure that European standards are recognized and implemented globally.

EASA, established and is governed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, plays a pivotal role in fostering the safety and sustainability of aviation, both within the European Union and in collaboration with international partners.

For more information, visit the EASA website.