CAAS Signs Maintenance Agreement with Civil Aviation Administration of China

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) concluded a milestone Technical Arrangement on Aviation Maintenance (TA-AM) yesterday, on the sidelines of the 56th Directors-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Conference for Asia and Pacific regions, in Kathmandu, Nepal.

2.         This agreement on aviation maintenance is the first such bilateral agreement that CAAC has signed with any civil aviation authority. CAAS has concluded similar arrangements with Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Hong Kong China’s Civil Aviation Department, Transport Canada Civil Aviation and the US Federal Aviation Administration.  It provides for the mutual recognition of certification and surveillance of approved Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Organisations located in China and Singapore. This arrangement, which is concluded under the ambit of the CAAC-CAAS Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)¹ signed in 2014, seeks to enhance productivity while reducing regulatory compliance costs.

3.         Presently, 43 MROs in Singapore hold China Civil Aviation Regulation (CCAR) 145 Maintenance Organisation Certificates from CAAC, which enable them to perform maintenance on aircraft and components fitted onto aircraft registered in China. These MROs include airlines’ engineering arms and maintenance units authorised by manufacturers. In China, 26 MROs, including engine and aircraft parts repair workshops hold Singapore Airworthiness Requirements (SAR) 145 Maintenance Organisation Approvals from CAAS, which enable them to perform maintenance on aircraft and components intended for fitment onto aircraft registered in Singapore. Under the agreement, participating MROs would only be audited by local authorities

4.         Director-General of CAAS, Kevin Shum said, “This agreement is a testament to the strong relationship between CAAS and CAAC. While our organisations facilitate air traffic growth between our countries, we remain committed to ensure the highest safety standards.”

¹ The MOU provided for both parties to endeavour to establish arrangements for the exchange of information and technical expertise and to explore co-operation and mutual assistance in all areas of aviation safety.

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to “Grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore's success”. CAAS' roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, develop Singapore as a centre for aviation knowledge and training, and contribute to the development of international aviation.