EASA and the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine (SAAU) concluded a new Working Arrangement (WA) on 18 January 2016.

While being a step forward in EASA-SAAU relations, the new WA will also facilitate preparations for the implementation of the envisaged EU-Ukraine Common Aviation Area Agreement. The WA ensures the facilitated certification of EU and Ukrainian products. It also foresees continuous EASA support to the SAAU’s efforts to implement EU aviation safety regulatory standards in the domains of airworthiness, maintenance, air operations and aircrews.

The agreement includes the extension of cooperation between the two authorities to air traffic management (ATM)/air navigation services (ANS) and aerodromes safety domains, where EASA will support the SAAU in its endeavours to implement the relevant EU legislation. The SAAU is thus now among 43 European civil aviation authorities cooperating with EASA on ATM/ANS matters. Through the agreement, the SAAU will also participate in EASA rulemaking, research and standardisation activities, as well as in the European Strategic Safety Initiative (ESSI). The SAAU joined in 2015 the EU Ramp Inspection Programme (SAFA).