WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2008 – Yesterday Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), attended the signing ceremony in Brussels for the US-European Community Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (The Agreement between the United States of America and the European Community on Cooperation in the Regulation of Civil Aviation Safety). The bilateral, signed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell and European Commission Vice-President in charge of Transport Antonio Tajani, will enhance air safety while reducing regulatory burdens and costs for manufacturers, operators and aviation authorities in the U.S. and Europe. This Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) provides for technical cooperation between the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in a variety of areas including aircraft certification, environmental approvals, and maintenance. Bunce made the following statement regarding the bilateral:

“We view this strategic partnership between the U.S. and the European Community as a real milestone that will advance our shared safety visions. The relationship between the U.S. and Europe has proven its resilience and continued transatlantic cooperation will increase efficiency and help bring new products to the global market more expeditiously. It’s good for aviation safety and business, it’s good for Europe, and it’s good for the United States.”

“To fully realize the benefits of the agreement, GAMA looks forward to working with the global manufacturing industry, FAA, EASA, and the European Commission to update validation processes and the EASA certification fees & charges regulation to be consistent with the principles of the bilateral.”