Brussels—The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today welcomed the European Union (EU)’s acceptance of Commercial Air Transport (CAT) operations using Single-Engine Turbine aeroplanes at night or in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (SET-IMC) in Europe. The operations take effect today with publication in the EU’s Official Journal.

The publication of these rules opens up new markets and stands to improve connectivity across the continent. Marking the end of a 20-year effort by industry and regulators, Europe is now aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards for CAT operations.

“The EU’s acceptance of CAT operations has been a long-awaited moment for general aviation,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. “We are very pleased to see Europe joining other regions in permitting this important form of transport.”

The new regulation is based on rigorous safety analysis, and contains all of the necessary safeguards to facilitate this form of passenger transport. It will greatly facilitate overnight cargo delivery and help provide connectivity to Europe’s most remote regions.

“We applaud the leadership shown by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in guiding this important safety framework forward, along with many dedicated individuals who helped forge this rule over many years. It will be a welcome development for those underserved by commercial routes to date,” Bunce continued.

Work on a regulatory framework for single-engine commercial operations began in the early 1990s. Common around the world, such operations are based on ICAO standards issued in 2005. GAMA, and several of the association’s members, participated in a rulemaking group created by EASA in 2012 to help develop the agency’s regulatory framework.