7.6.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 147/143
(6)
The Agency informed the Commission and the EU Air Safety Committee about the technical assessments conducted for the initial evaluation and the continuous monitoring of third country operator (‘TCO’) authorisations, issued pursuant to Commission Regulation (EU) No 452/2014 (4).
(7)
The Agency also informed the Commission and the EU Air Safety Committee about the results of the analysis of ramp inspections carried out under the Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft programme (‘SAFA’), in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (5).
(8)
In addition, the Agency informed the Commission and the EU Air Safety Committee about the technical assistance projects carried out in third countries affected by an operating ban under Regulation (EC) No 474/2006.
Furthermore, the Agency provided information on the plans and requests for further technical assistance and cooperation to improve the administrative and technical capability of civil aviation authorities in third countries with a view to helping them assure compliance with applicable international civil aviation safety standards.
Member States were invited to respond to such requests on a bilateral basis in coordination with the Commission and the Agency.
In that regard, the Commission reiterated the usefulness of providing information to the international aviation community, particularly through the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (‘ICAO’) Aviation Safety Implementation Assistance Partnership tool, on technical assistance to third countries provided by the Union and Member States to improve aviation safety around the world.
(9)
Eurocontrol provided the Commission and the EU Air Safety Committee with an update on the status of the SAFA and TCO alarming functions, including statistics about alert messages for banned air carriers.
Union air carriers
(10)
Following the Agency’s analysis of information resulting from ramp inspections carried out on the aircraft of Union air carriers, as well as standardisation inspections carried out by the Agency, and complemented with information stemming from specific inspections and audits carried out by national aviation authorities, Member States and the Agency, acting as competent authorities, have taken certain corrective and enforcement measures, and informed the Commission and the EU Air Safety Committee about those measures.
(11)
Member States and the Agency, acting as competent authorities, reiterated their readiness to act, as necessary, in the event that pertinent safety information indicates imminent safety risks resulting from non-compliance by Union air carriers with relevant safety standards.
Air carriers from Armenia
(12)
In June 2020, air carriers certified in Armenia were included in Annex A to Regulation (EC) No 474/2006, by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/736 (6).
(13)
As part of the continuous monitoring activities the Commission identified that the new air carrier Armenian Airlines has been certified by the Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia (‘CAC’) in December 2022.
Since CAC has not provided the Commission with evidence to demonstrate a sufficient ability to implement and enforce the relevant international safety standards, the issuance of an air operator certificate (‘AOC’) to this new air carrier does not guarantee sufficient compliance with the relevant international safety standards.
(4) Commission Regulation (EU) No 452/2014 of 29 April 2014 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations of third country operators pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 133, 6.5.2014, p. 12).
(5) Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 of 5 October 2012 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 296, 25.10.2012, p. 1).
(6) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/736 of 2 June 2020 amending Regulation (EC) No 474/2006 as regards the list of air carriers banned from operating or subject to operational restrictions within the Union (OJ L 172, 3.6.2020, p. 7).