FAA InFO Issued Reminding Non-EU Carriers Of The Deadline

The FAA has released an Information For Operators reminding non-European Union (EU) commercial air operators, referred to as TCOs, of the EASA-TCO authorization needed by November 26, 2016, to conduct operations into the EU.

The EU has centralized the authorization process for TCOs performing commercial air transport operations into the EU. A single safety authorization is now issued centrally by EASA.

Discussion: In accordance with EASA-TCO, all TCOs who wish to conduct operations into the 28 EU member states, the 4 European Free Trade Association states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), and designated territorial areas, must receive an EASA-TCO authorization by November 26, 2016.

European Commission requirements for TCO authorizations are based on compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annexes 1, 2, 6, 18, and 19. These requirements are applicable to all commercial air operators, regardless of which Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations part they operate under; ICAO Annex 6 part 1 does not distinguish between part 121 and part 135.

The TCO requirements cover such areas as: personnel licensing, rules of the air, operation of aircraft, airworthiness, dangerous goods, and Safety Management to include Safety Management Systems (SMS). Annex 19 requires that an operator’s SMS must be, “acceptable to the State.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not recognize third party-sponsored systems; therefore they do not meet Annex 19 requirements. It is the air operator’s responsibility to ensure all applicable requirements are met. If an operator fails to meet the TCO requirements in sufficient time for EASA to issue the TCO authorization, then EASA may not permit air operations into EU states or territories listed in the previous section (a more detailed list is available on the EASA-TCO website).

FMI: www.easa.europa.eu/easa-and-you/air-operations/tco-third-country-operators.