The European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) outlines the strategic priorities shared by EASA and the Member States for aviation safety and environmental protection, the primary safety risks and other issues affecting the European aviation safety system, and the necessary measures to mitigate them.
The plan is developed by EASA in collaboration with EASA Member States and industry.
The main objective of EPAS is to further improve aviation safety throughout Europe, while also improving environmental protection, ensuring a level playing field, as well as efficiency/proportionality in regulatory processes. EPAS’ aspirational safety goal is to maintain collectively the pre-pandemic high aviation safety level throughout the recovery phase and improve safety post-recovery
Key Aspects of the EPAS
- Legal Basis: Mandated by the EASA Basic Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and consistent with the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan.
- Strategic Framework: The EPAS identifies strategic priorities and the main safety issues for the European aviation system.
- Action-Oriented: It details specific mitigation actions (EPAS Actions) to ensure that the main safety risks are effectively mitigated.
- Collaborative Effort: The EPAS is developed by EASA in collaboration with Member States and the aviation industry, reinforcing safety at all levels.
- Continuous Cycle: It is updated on an annual basis with actions normally covering a specific period of time. The priorities may be updated less frequently.
How is the EPAS laid out?
EPAS is composed of three distinct volumes:
Volume I - Strategic Priorities: This volume provides the operational context, and sets out the strategic priorities shared by EASA and the Member States for European aviation safety, efficiency, and environmental protection.
Volume II - EPAS Actions: This volume contains the detailed list and description of all the actions EASA and the Member States will undertake to mitigate identified risks and achieve the strategic priorities.
Volume III - Safety Risk Portfolio: This volume provides an overview of the safety issues affecting the European aviation system per domain (e.g., commercial air transport, general aviation, etc.).
EPAS Action Types
In Volume II – EPAS Actions, there are different types of action that EASA and National Aviation Authorities undertake:
- Rulemaking Tasks (RMTs): Lead to the creation or amendment of regulatory material.
- Safety Promotion Tasks (SPTs): Promote good practice through safety training, awareness campaigns, and educational materials.
- Research Projects (RES): Contribute to the understanding of safety or environment-related topics under the responsibility of the Agency.
- Evaluation Tasks (EVTs): Assess the effectiveness of existing regulations and initiatives.
- Member State Tasks (MSTs): Actions for EASA Member States.
- Implementation Support Tasks (ISTs): Assist stakeholders in implementing new rules.
EPAS explained
This short video explains what EPAS is and how it is developed.