GAMA Applauds New EASA Mandate

Brussels, Belgium — The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today applauded the Council of the EU’s adoption of a new mandate for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which will modernise Europe’s aviation safety framework.

Known as the ‘Basic Regulation,’ the mandate sets the fundamental rules by which the Agency operates; covering EASA’s mandate, its relationship with other regulators, and the requirements for all areas of the Agency’s safety rules.

“This final endorsement by the Council of the EU marks a key moment in the modernisation of Europe’s safety framework,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “This new Basic Regulation promises to equip EASA with the set of tools it needs to keep pace with the rapid advances in general aviation, business aviation and maintenance operations – particularly with the emphasis on enshrining risk-based regulation into law.”

Following the General Affairs Council Ministers’ adoption of the mandate, the EU will then publish the new legislation in its Official Journal before entering the regulation into force 20 days later. EASA will then need to make a wholesale revision of the detailed lower-level implementing rules to bring about many of the changes foreseen in the new Basic Regulation.

“We call on the European Commission and Member States to provide EASA with the resources and support it needs to quickly introduce the changes to implementing rules within the next three years, rather than wait for the full five-year transition term in the new Basic Regulation,” said Bunce. “This will allow the industry to yield the certification and oversight safety benefits and efficiencies as soon as possible.”

For additional information, please contact Sarah McCann, GAMA Director of Communications, at +1 (202) 637-1375 or smccann@gama.aero.

GAMA is an international trade association representing over 100 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation airplanes and rotorcraft, engines, avionics, components and related services. GAMA's members also operate repair stations, fixed based operations, pilot and maintenance training facilities and manage fleets of aircraft. For more information, visit GAMA's website at www.GAMA.aero.