FAA-EU Pacts Expand Aviation Market Access

Two agreements signed last week between FAA and European Union officials have further opened market access in Europe for U.S. companies that manufacture or modify aircraft, and reciprocally increase access to the U.S. for European companies that make aircraft parts. The two decisions, which take effect on April 8, are associated with the Airworthiness Annex of the U.S./EU Safety Agreement.

Under the first decision, EASA will lower its fees for validation of U.S. aerospace products, ranging from STCs to full type certifications. “This achievement is the culmination of a multi-year effort to reduce duplication of efforts by the FAA and EASA, and to lower EASA fees on U.S. industry to be more commensurate with that reduced level of effort,” the FAA said.

The second decision removes country-specific limitations associated with aeronautical products and parts eligible for import into the U.S. This amendment treats all EU Member States equally under the agreement and “recognizes EASA’s oversight and standardization processes throughout its jurisdiction.”