TO STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE EU AND CHINA IN THE CIVIL AVIATION DOMAIN

 

1. Project Background

 

The European aviation industry supports 5.1 million jobs and contributes to 2.4% of the European GDP. It is one of the main drivers for R&D and for generating employment in Europe. Exports generate roughly 60% of its revenue. For this key sector of the European economy, China with its rapidly growing market for aviation services and products is a strategically important market. According to industry forecasts, East Asia – and China in particular – is expected to be the largest growing domestic aviation market for at least the next 20 years.

 

On the other hand, China also actively promotes its own industry, aviation being one of the seven strategic emerging industries eligible for substantial government support. Catering to a steadily growing number of potential customers, new airlines are expected to enter the market and existing full service carriers will launch low-cost subsidiaries. These developments represent a unique opportunity for the expansion of the European industry in China, in terms of European Union (EU) manufactured aircraft and components, and an increase of flight frequencies between Europe and China. They also lay the ground for greater cooperation between the EU and China in the field of Civil Aviation.

 

The first cooperation initiative between China and the EU in the field of Civil Aviation dates back to 1999. From the beginning both authorities and industries have been involved, with the objective in mind of developing industrial and economic cooperation as well as aviation safety. The success of this initial phase led to the creation of the EU-China Civil Aviation Cooperation Project (EUCCAP, 2010-14) to deepen mutual cooperation and understanding. Now the EU-China Aviation Partnership Project (EU-China APP) aims to take this cooperation to the next level through the development of a mutually beneficial partnership.

 

2. Project objective

 

At the heart of the EU-China APP is the call for closer cooperation between the EU and China at an official and authority level and the linking of technical cooperation with policy dialogue. This is reflected in the project’s objective of strengthening the economic partnership between the EU and China in the civil aviation domain. The project incorporates the idea of a close cooperation between EASA and various European project partners to bring best European aviation expertise to the project. Likewise on the Chinese side the project will interact with several Chinese stakeholders coordinated by CAAC.

 

3. Component areas

 

The European and Chinese aviation authorities, CAAC and EASA, directly implement activities together, in close cooperation with their partners. Initiated in September 2015, the first EU-China APP successfully closed after a duration of 5+ years (2015-2021).

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The approach of cooperation for the new project (2021-2024) will continue to focus on activities of mutual interest. In particular, the following areas of cooperation are considered:

 

• Regulatory dialogue on safety,

• Accident/incident investigations,

• General aviation,

• ATM/ANS and airports,

• Airworthiness and support to aviation agreements,

• Flight standards and safety promotion,

• Sustainable aviation and environmental protection,

• Economic policy and regulation,

• Aviation safety and security,

• Legislation and law enforcement,

• Innovation and new technologies.

 

4. Project Partners:

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• Member States aviation Authorities

• China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology (CAST)

• Air Traffic Management Bureau of Civil Aviation Administration of China (ATMB)

• The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China - local European project partner for the involvement of the European aviation industry

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5. Get involved

 

Representatives of the European aviation industry are welcome and encouraged to take an active part in the project. More info