EASA updates European roadmap to tackle aviation safety risks

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has just released an updated roadmap to tackle key aviation safety risks. Released in a document known as the European Aviation Safety Plan (EASp), 86 key safety actions to tackle operational, systemic and emerging aviation safety issues are identified for implementation until 2016.

The EASp creates a common focus for the entire European aviation community. Through its risk analysis and actions, the EASp is the outcome of an overarching Safety Management System for the European region. It creates a practical link between high-level safety issues and actions to be implemented by States, partner organisations, the aviation industry and EASA itself.

Commenting on the release of the EASp, Patrick Goudou, EASA Executive Director, said, “The third edition of the EASp is at the heart of a European aviation Safety Management System – one which identifies the hazards, assesses the risks, and provides actions to mitigate those risks”.

The EASp also contains information on progress made since the previous edition of the Plan. One recently completed deliverable of the EASp has been the publication of the European Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Excursions (EAPPRE).

This Action Plan, aimed at all providers and users of European aerodromes and all European aircraft operators, is the result of the combined and sustained efforts of organisationsinvolved in all areas of runway operations. Eurocontrol led its development with support from EASA and the European Commercial Aviation Safety Team.

Central to the recommendations is the uniform and consistent application of ICAO provisions. The Action Plan also contains practical recommendations with guidance materials to assist operational staff.

The European Aviation Safety Plan (EASp) covering the 2013-2016 period can be downloaded from here.

The European Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Excursions (EAPPRE) can be downloaded from here.