European Union Aviation Safety Agency

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EASA_Headquarters_-_EASA_Direktion

European Union Aviation Safety Agency

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is an agency of the European Union (EU) responsible for civil aviation safety. It was established in 2002 and is headquartered in Cologne, Germany. EASA's primary mission is to ensure the highest common level of safety protection for EU citizens and to promote environmental protection in the aviation sector.

History

EASA was established by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union through Regulation (EC) No 1592/2002, which was later replaced by Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and subsequently by Regulation (EU) 2018/1139. The agency became fully operational in 2003.

Functions

EASA's main functions include:

• Drafting aviation safety legislation and providing technical advice to the European Commission and the Member States.
• Certifying and approving aircraft and their components.
• Overseeing the implementation of safety rules, including inspections and audits.
• Coordinating with international aviation organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
• Conducting research to improve aviation safety.

Structure

EASA is governed by a Management Board, which includes representatives from the European Commission, the Member States, and other stakeholders. The Executive Director, appointed by the Management Board, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency.

Key Activities

• **Certification**: EASA certifies aircraft, engines, and parts to ensure they meet safety standards.
• **Rulemaking**: The agency develops and updates aviation safety regulations.
• **Standardization**: EASA conducts inspections and audits to ensure compliance with EU aviation safety rules.
• **Safety Analysis**: The agency collects and analyzes data to identify safety risks and trends.
• **Research**: EASA conducts research to support the development of new safety regulations and technologies.

Related Pages

• European Union
• European Commission
• International Civil Aviation Organization
• Civil aviation
• Aviation safety

See Also

• European Aviation Safety Programme
• Single European Sky
• European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL)