Galileo - one step closer to full operational capability

Four more Galileo satellites were launched on an Ariane 5 launcher from Guyana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guyana, on 12 December 2017 at 18:36 UTC. This launch brings the Galileo system to 22 satellites, with one more launch remaining before the constellation reaches completion.

The Hague Manifesto on Space Policy

The Hague Manifesto on Space Policy presents the main findings on space policy of the 2016 Netherlands Presidency of the Council of the EU. These findings codify the results of the Competitiveness Council on Space Meeting of 26 May 2016, the EU-ESA Informal Space Ministerial Meeting of 30 May 2016 and the main messages of the opening and policy days of the European Space Solutions Conference that took place on the 30th and 31st of May 2016. The main purpose of this Manifesto is to assist in the drafting of the forthcoming Space Strategy for Europe.

Privacy and UAS: Different approaches in the US and the EU lead to similar results

The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration published recently Voluntary Best Practices for UAS Privacy, Transparency, and Accountability. Under EU law, extensive studies on privacy aspects of UAS have been conducted. Although the legal framework is different in the US and the EU regarding both centralized regulation and material content of the applicable legislation, the general compliance requirements for operators share some common points.

Killing two birds with one stone: EU’s efforts to tighten aviation relations with Iran

The EU is seeking to tighten relations with Iran, to achieve multiple benefits: increase safety, boost European aircraft exports and reduce the leverage of Gulf rivals.

Aviation safety: EU Regulation on occurrence reporting enters into force

Since 15 Nov. 2015 the EU Regulation No 376/2014 on the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation has entered into force. The new Regulation’s objective is to ensure that  aviation safety-related information is reported, collected, stored, protected, exchanged, disseminated and analysed. The Regulation enhances EU-wide cooperation and data exchange, while strengthening “just culture”.

RPAS regulation takes off in the EU – The Riga Declaration and the EASA Concept of Operations for Drones

Regulation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), commonly known as “drones”, received a boost in the EU after the issuance of the Riga Declaration, which laid down policy aims on RPAS regulation. A few days later, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced the Concept of Operations on Drones.

Copernicus, latest developments on the EU programme observing the earth

Copernicus is the EU Earth Observation and Monitoring System and constitutes a key contribution to the Union’s 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It is a civil, independent, user- driven programme, aiming to provide accurate and reliable information in the field of the environment and security, on a full, open and free-of charge basis. 

European Commission releases report on complaint handling and enforcement of the Air Passenger Rights Regulations

The European Commission released a report on the application and enforcement of the EU Regulations on the rights of air passengers, i.e. Regulation 261/2004, which lays down passenger rights in case of long delay, flight cancellation and denied boarding, and Regulation 1107/2006, which provides for the rights of persons with reduced mobility. The report contains statistics for the period 2010-2012, based on data reported by the National Enforcement Bodies (NEBs) and Eurocontrol. The statistics provide very interesting information.

One-stop shop for safety authorization of TCOs in the EU

The European Commission announced the adoption of new Regulation (Part-TCO) that enables Third Country Operators (TCO) to obtain a single safety authorization for operations in the EU. TCOs will no longer be required to make a separate application for a safety authorization to each EU Member State they want to fly to, as is the case now.

European Parliament adopts resolution “on the use of armed drones”

The European Parliament (ΕP) adopted on 27 Febr. 2014 a resolution “on the use of armed drones”.