The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published on 1 April a set of proposals for future requirements applicable to Third Country Operators (TCO) engaged in commercial air transport operations into, within or out of the EU. These proposals aim to establish a single European system for the safety approval of these operators and harmonize national rules in this regard. They will contribute to simplify and lessen the administrative burden faced by operators from third countries.

The proposals agreed by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in order to simplify the conditions for operations by Third Country Operators in Europe were published in a document known as a Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA). They are designed to establish a single European system for the safety approval of these operators replacing the various national systems existing today in the framework of agreements between EU Member States and third countries.

The rules EASA NPA 2011-05 harmonises and streamlines the authorisation process for third country operators by proposing a single, risk-based assessment process, proportionate to the operations and simple to implement. Applications would be submitted to EASA which would be responsible for issuing an authorisation valid across the territory of the EU and for ensuring that this authorisation remains continuously valid. This authorisation system would complement the existing system for vetting the safety performance of air carriers in the framework of the European Safety List.

Open Consultation Process regarding  EASA NPA 2011-05

This proposal initiated with the publication of EASA NPA 2011-05 NPA is the first step of a fully transparent public consultation process. All third country operators operating or intending to operate commercial air transport services into the European Union are invited to submit their comments to EASA. Comments will be reviewed and a Comment Response Document (CRD) will be made available for public consultation. At the end of the consultation process, EASA will present a final Opinion to the European Commission which, on this basis, will decide to launch the final process for adoption binding requirements in the form of a Commission Implementing Regulation expected in April 2012.