The signature of the EU-US Air Transport Agreement in 2007 constituted a defining moment in the aviation relations between the two regions, bringing together the world's two largest aviation markets and linking more than 800 million people on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2010, a protocol was signed to amend the initial agreement (the so called "second stage agreement") which brought significant improvements in terms of both market access and regulatory cooperation. 2011 marked the accession of Norway and Iceland to the EU-US Air Transport Agreement– two States that are fully integrated into the single European aviation market.
Going beyond the typical scope of bilateral air transport agreements, the EU-US Air Transport Agreement established a modern regulatory framework to promote safe, affordable, profitable and competitive air transport. This robust framework for cooperation enables the EU and the US to tackle new challenges in the areas of safety, security, environment/climate, competition policy as well as doing business issues. The EU-US Air Transport Agreement also ensures the recognition of EU designation (equal market access for all EU airlines) and therefore provides legal certainty for the transatlantic market in light of the requirements of the Open Skies Judgements of the European Court of Justice.
For further information and figures on EU-US aviation relations and EU aviation in general, please consult the Atlas of the Sky."
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2011 Accession of Norway and Iceland