CAAS and EASA Cooperate to Harmonise Aviation Health Safety Measures for Air Travel between Singapore and Europe

This cooperation is the first of its kind in Asia and serves to boost public confidence in air travel

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on aviation health safety measures in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2.    Under the MoC, both parties commit to work together to validate and harmonise aviation health safety measures for air travel, with the common objectives of protecting the health and safety of passengers, air crew and airport staff, and strengthening traveller confidence to facilitate the recovery of air travel between Singapore and Europe.

3.    The MoC also provides for CAAS and EASA to support the participation of Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) in the EASA Aviation Industry Charter (AIC). This AIC has been launched by EASA to promote the implementation of operational guidelines[1] developed by EASA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), to assist aircraft and airport operators in protecting the health and safety of passengers, crew and staff whilst maintaining safe and secure operations. As participants of the AIC, SIA and CAG commit to implement these operational guidelines for air services between Singapore and European cities.

4.    Mr Kevin Shum, Director-General of CAAS, said, “Amidst serious challenges posed by COVID-19, this collaboration with EASA is timely and crucial in supporting the ongoing efforts by the aviation industry to protect public health, ensure safety of travellers and aviation workers, and boost confidence in air travel. CAAS is committed to working together with EASA to facilitate the resumption of air services between Singapore and Europe.”

5.    Mr Patrick Ky, Executive Director of EASA, said, “This cooperation with CAAS on aviation health safety measures in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, bolstered by the signing of the Aviation Industry Charter for COVID-19 by Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport, is a significant step forward in increasing passenger confidence for travel between Europe and Singapore. It underlines that in the international business of aviation, it is important to create a harmonised process to ensure passenger safety anywhere on the global network. We are delighted to reinforce our partnership with CAAS and to welcome Singapore’s key aviation industry players to the group of operators committing to implement our guidelines for safe travel.” 

6.   Mr Mak Swee Wah, Executive Vice President Operations, Singapore Airlines, added, “Singapore Airlines welcomes the collaboration between CAAS and EASA, which will support the creation of common global standards for the aviation industry’s health and safety measures. This has the potential to provide more confidence for our customers as borders gradually open and international air travel picks up.”

7.   Mr Tan Lye Teck, Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President for Airport Management, said, “CAG has introduced various health and safety measures to give passengers peace of mind when travelling through Changi Airport. We look forward to working closely with EASA and our partners for a safe and seamless airport journey that is aligned with international guidelines on air travel.”

[1] The operational guidelines are contained in the COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocol developed by EASA and ECDC. The purpose of the Protocol is to provide a source of best practice on how airport and aeroplane operators conducting commercial and non-commercial passenger transport operations and national competent authorities can ensure the health and safety of passengers, as well as of the aviation personnel who serve them, by maintaining safe and secure operations, while minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

In Singapore, CAAS has issued Directives and Directions to aircraft and airport operators to implement safe travel management measures to protect the health and safety of passengers, air crew and airport staff while maintaining safe and secure operations. These measures were developed in close consultation with Singapore’s Ministry of Health.

Both sets of measures/guidelines are aligned with the ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Taskforce’s recommendations and guidelines.

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
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, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation.

About the European Union Aviation Safety Agency
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is the centrepiece of the European Union's strategy for aviation safety. Our mission is to promote and achieve the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation. Based in Cologne, the Agency currently employs more than 750 experts and administrators from all over Europe.

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