ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA May 2, 2011 – Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) Executive Director Sarah MacLeod released the following statement in response to the entry into force of a new bilateral aviation safety agreement (BASA) between the United States and the European Union (EU) on May 1, 2011.

“The entry into force of the new BASA between the United States and the European Union is great news for the U.S. and European civil aviation industry that serve customers on both sides of the Atlantic.

“The BASA will enhance efficiencies for government and industry, reduce regulatory duplication, and lower compliance costs, all while ensuring effective oversight and allowing our members to build on their outstanding safety record.”

The BASA allows the reciprocal acceptance of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification and oversight of civil aviation products and maintenance organizations. The United States and European Union specifically agreed to recognize each other’s “findings of compliance and approvals.” This means, for example, that the FAA can determine a U.S. repair station is eligible for an EASA approval to work on European Union-registered products without a separate inspection by European regulators. The agreement can be viewed here.

The global civil aviation maintenance market exceeded $50 billion in 2008, with North America (the U.S. and Canada) accounting for $19.4 billion of the total. When induced and related economic effects are considered, the industry’s impact on the U.S. economy is $39 billion per year. The industry employs 274,634 workers in the United States. North America is a major net exporter of aviation maintenance services, enjoying a $2.4 billion positive balance of trade in this area.

ARSA’s legislative and regulatory team is available to the media for comment and background on the importance and impact of bilateral aviation safety agreements. To speak with a member of ARSA’s team, please contact Jason Langford, communications manager.

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ARSA is an Alexandria, Virginia-based trade association that represents aviation maintenance and manufacturing companies. Founded in 1984, the association has a distinguished record of advocating for repair stations, providing regulatory compliance assistance to the industry, and representing repair stations on Capitol Hill and in the media.

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