European Aviation Safety Agency To Broaden Powers

The European Commission (EC) yesterday issued a major proposal to extend the tasks of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to rulemaking and control of air operations, pilot qualifications and licenses and oversight of third-country airlines operating in the European Union. The agency, created in 2002, currently certifies the airworthiness and environmental performance of aeronautical products, among other duties. The EC also disclosed plans to extend the functions of the EASA to safety and interoperability of air navigation services, air traffic management and airports. The objective is to have all aviation safety rulemaking under the scope of the EASA by 2010.