The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has received the green light to tap fresh European Union funds as a stopgap to help plug a forecast €15 million ($18 million) shortfall in 2006 certification revenues before a major shake-up next year. Aircraft manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic reacted angrily earlier this year to the agency’s warning that it may have to impose fourfold increases in the hourly rate charged for certification work.
At the 26 April meeting of EASA’s management board, the European Commission proposed revised fees and charges for 2006 as well as a substantial increase in the EU contribution. The move followed urgent talks with the EC, EU member states and industry.
“This was broadly welcomed by board members. The revised regulation now has to be formally adopted by the member states, while the increase in the EU contribution has to be approved by the EU’s budgetary authority,” says EASA. It adds that the proposed revision respects the EC’s general policy of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises with no increase in hourly rates and with a longer-term revision foreseen for 2007.
Source: Flight International
