Singapore and the United Kingdom to Step Up Collaboration in Five Areas to Prepare Aviation Sector for the Future
4 April 2023
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) will step up collaboration in (i) aviation safety, (ii) sustainability, (iii) training, (iv) innovation and (v) horizon scanning to better position their respective aviation sectors for the future as they emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. These five areas of collaboration were agreed at the second Singapore-UK Bilateral Aviation Steering Committee co-chaired by Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Mr Han Kok Juan, and Chief Executive Officer of UK Civil Aviation Authority, Mr Richard Moriarty, on 27 March 2023. The Bilateral Aviation Steering Committee was set up in December 2020 for the two authorities to work together to help their respective aviation sectors tide over the COVID-19 crisis.
2 On aviation safety, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and UK Civil Aviation Authority will be conducting technical visits to validate each other’s safety systems and work towards mutual acceptance in airworthiness certification, whereby the regulatory approval issued by one authority to organisations for aircraft and product modifications will be accepted as equivalent to the approval issued by the other party. This will help the two aviation sectors streamline regulatory requirements and lower costs.
3 On training, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and UK Civil Aviation Authority have signed a Supplemental Arrangement, under which the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), the training arm of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, and CAA International Ltd (CAAi), UK Civil Aviation Authority’s technical assistance arm, will expand training cooperation through the exchange of experts for curriculum design, research, and delivery of training programmes. For a start, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and UK Civil Aviation Authority will jointly develop and deliver a cybersecurity seminar for aviation professionals involved in the oversight and implementation of cybersecurity in the two countries.
4 On sustainability, Singapore and the UK have earlier signed a memorandum of understanding to advance sustainable aviation. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and UK Civil Aviation Authority will discuss policies, regulatory tools and approaches to setting and raising sustainability targets in their respective countries.
5 On innovation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and UK Civil Aviation Authority will share experience and information on the use of technology, innovation, and research and development to redesign airport processes to enhance productivity and user experience. Both parties will also exchange details of vertiport standards and pilot licensing, and collaborate on the creation of our regulatory roadmaps for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).
6 On horizon scanning, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and UK Civil Aviation Authority will work together to identify emerging trends, threats and opportunities relating to air travel demand post-COVID. These include the emergence of new technology and changes in the operating environments, so as to better prepare their respective aviation sectors for the future, particularly in the areas of industry development and regulatory response.
7 Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, said, “As global air hubs, Singapore and the UK share many similar challenges and opportunities as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. The deepening partnership between the two civil aviation authorities is testament to our shared desire to pool resources and share expertise to better serve our respective aviation industries and position them for the future.”
8 Mr Richard Moriarty, Chief Executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority said, “We’re delighted to be extending our agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, continuing to strengthen cooperation in areas of common interest including safety, innovation, sustainability and training. Preparing for the future, training collaboration will focus on equipping aviation professionals with the skills and capabilities to continue to support a safe and secure aviation system, including as the sector evolves to introduce new requirements, technologies and users.”
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. For more information, visit www.caas.gov.sg
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