Not enough funding?

The European Commission this month published a proposal to extend the regulatory powers of the

, EASA, to air operations, flight crew licensing and oversight of third-country airlines.

Since its’ establishment in 2003, EASA has had an increasingly important role in promoting the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation within EU.

The new tasks will bring powers over non-EU airlines as well, as they will have to meet the same safety standards as European operators.

But the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) is afraid that EASA won’t be able to successfully carry out its new responsibilities unless adequate funding is provided.

“With regard to the new demanding tasks that will be placed under EASA’s responsibility, it has to be made sure that EASA’s operations are properly funded”, said François Gayet, ASD Secretary General, “since it has already been clear that the level of community funding is not sufficient enough to even support EASA’s current tasks”, he continued.