CAAS, EASA to coordinate health safety measures for air travel between Singapore, Europe

THE Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the 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, both organisations said in a joint statement on Wednesday. 

Under the MOC, both parties have committed to work together to "validate and harmonise" aviation health safety measures for air travel. Common objectives include protecting the health and safety of passengers, air crew and airport staff, as well as strengthening traveller confidence to facilitate the recovery of air travel between Singapore and Europe.

The MOC also provides for CAAS and EASA to support the participation of Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Changi Airport Group (CAG) in the EASA Aviation Industry Charter (AIC).

This charter has been launched by EASA to promote the implementation of operational guidelines developed by EASA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The operational guidelines are contained in the Covid-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocol. The purpose of the protocol is to provide a source of best practice on how airport and aeroplane operators, as well as national authorities can ensure the health and safety of passengers and aviation personnel, while minimising the risk of Covid-19 transmission, the organisations said. 

As participants of the AIC, SIA and CAG have committed to implement these operational guidelines for air services between Singapore and European cities. 

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Mak Swee Wah, executive vice-president of operations at SIA, said: "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."

Separately, The Business Times reported on Wednesday that cargo could be a bright spot for SIA when it reports its first-quarter update next week, though recovery for the national carrier remains elusive. 

As at 3.27pm on Wednesday, SIA shares were trading at S$3.67, down S$0.02 or 0.5 per cent.