Aviation industry groups urged Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to make the implementation of the U.S.-European Union Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement a priority in upcoming talks with the European Commission in a joint letter Sept. 16.
Cooperation between the United States and EU has led to higher, common safety standards, the organizations wrote. The bilateral agreement would strengthen this cooperation and help reduce costs for product certification and repair stations, they explained.
“All of these outcomes not only enhance safety but also help reduce or avoid increased costs, thereby strengthening the economic prospects of U.S. companies and their employees,” explained the letter, signed by AOPA President Craig Fuller, along with the leaders of the Aerospace Industries Association, the Air Transport Association, the Cargo Airline Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the National Air Transportation Association, and the National Business Aviation Association.
The United States and European Union signed the agreement in 2008, but it has not yet been implemented. The associations said implementing the agreement will enable the safe, efficient flow of trade to continue and support U.S. jobs during a difficult economic recovery for the nation’s aerospace industry.
“In particular, implementation will help facilitate continued recognition by the EU of U.S. training of European pilots and of the FAA certification of U.S. airlines. It will also permit a planned modification in the fees and charges assigned to U.S. aerospace manufacturers for EASA validation of products certificated by FAA and will protect U.S. repair stations from redundant and costly safety inspections by European regulators,” the associations wrote.
