Evaluation confirms European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) fit for purpose

A Commission evaluation of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (‘EASA’) has given a positive appraisal of EASA’s performance and added value.

The evaluation assessed the Regulation’s effectiveness in reaching its objectives, efficiency, relevance in responding to the stakeholder needs, coherence with other EU legislation and policy actions, and its overall EU added value. The evaluation also reviewed EASA’s performance in relation to its objectives, mandate, and tasks. The findings are analysed in an accompanying Staff Working Document.

Results

The findings are overwhelmingly positive: EASA has been very successful in delivering on its tasks and Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 continues to provide a sound legal framework for the Agency’s operations. EASA has succeeded in its core tasks of rulemaking, certification and standardisation. There are clear benefits to having an integrated European aviation safety system in place.

On EU added value, EASA fulfils its role in ensuring common rules and standards for aviation safety are applied, that cooperation takes place on environmental protection, on research and innovation, and internationally. EASA has been successful in establishing good relationships with international aviation partners, including at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and has facilitated the international acceptance of European aviation products and services.

EASA is at the forefront of developing and implementing innovative technologies, such as unmanned aircraft systems and electric aircraft, among others. This will help Europe maintain its international competitiveness in the aviation and aircraft manufacturing sectors.

The evaluation showed that the creation of EASA has led to benefits that could not have been achieved at the national level or through other international bodies. It has also been effective in responding to major external shocks and political pressures, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Despite some identified areas for improvement – one of them being appropriate long-term financing for EASA’s activities – aviation stakeholders consider the overall quality of the system as very good.

Future outlook

The evaluation concludes that EASA’s future activities should be carefully assessed in light of its limited resources, and the fact that the Regulation does not prioritise EASA’s different activities.

The civil aviation sector’s needs and requirements are constantly evolving, and EASA must continue to adapt. Some of the Regulation’s requirements also still need to be assured through additional implementing rules (e.g. on ground handling). New areas on Higher Airspace Operations and technical developments in the field of air traffic management should be addressed in the near future.

Background

The results of this evaluation are contained in a report adopted by the Commission on 12 September 2023.

As required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, the next evaluation of EASA will be conducted in five years.