What EPAS 2026 is all about
The European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) 2026 is the current safety roadmap of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It describes the topics that EASA intends to focus on in the coming years and the areas of regulation that are likely to be further developed or redesigned. Unlike many comprehensive regulatory documents, the EPAS is remarkably compact: The individual measures, known as rulemaking tasks (RMTs), are often outlined in just a few paragraphs. It is precisely this brevity that makes the document both challenging and valuable for airports and authorities, as detailed texts on many of the projects are not yet publicly available at this stage. However, those who read the EPAS carefully will quickly recognize where regulation is heading and can strategically adapt to it.
EPAS is not a set of rules, but rather an advance information system. EPAS can best be understood as a kind of "New Year's resolution list" from EASA. As with good intentions, not everything will be implemented immediately, some things will be postponed, and individual topics will change over time as new insights or priorities emerge. Nevertheless, it is worth being aware of these plans because they provide a realistic indication of which requirements could become more important in the European aviation system in a few years' time. EPAS does not in itself give rise to any immediate obligations. It will only become legally binding when the announced work results in concrete regulations, Acceptable Means of Compliance, Guidance Material, or Certification Specifications and is published with a validity date. Nevertheless, EPAS is an important planning tool for operators and regulatory authorities because it makes investments predictable and reduces the risk of being surprised by regulatory changes.
Three topics that airports and authorities should now keep an eye on
In terms of content, three topics can be identified that will be particularly relevant for airports and authorities in the coming years. Firstly, protection against interference with air traffic is becoming increasingly important. This not only concerns traditional threats, but also modern disruptive phenomena such as GNSS interference, issues surrounding the coexistence of 5G infrastructure and radio navigation, and the misuse of unmanned aerial systems in the vicinity of airports. These developments mean that safety and security are increasingly being considered together in practice, which is why airports should consistently reflect this interconnection in risk assessments, reporting channels, and operational procedures.
Secondly, information security is becoming increasingly important because digitized processes and networked systems are increasingly becoming part of security-critical infrastructure, making cybersecurity a factor in flight safety.
Thirdly, the EPAS devotes considerable attention to the safe introduction of innovations, particularly in the field of unmanned aerial systems and new mobility concepts, which shows that many rules are still being developed and the course is currently being set.
What makes sense today: preparing for RMT.0751 and RMT.0161
In practice, the question often arises as to what concrete steps should be taken today if the EPAS does not yet contain any binding requirements.
A sensible approach is to prepare in advance for particularly relevant RMTs. These include RMT.0751, which revises the requirements for obstacle limitation surfaces and protection against other hazards at aerodromes based on ICAO Annex 14 Volume I. Even though the exact wording of the regulation will not be finalized until later, airport operators can already critically review their obstacle data, assessment and reporting procedures, as well as their responsibilities and interfaces with municipalities and building authorities, so that they are not under time pressure when future changes come into effect. Equally important is RMT.0161, which addresses the certification and declaration of safety-related equipment at airports, making it worthwhile for operators to systematically record which facilities and systems are classified as safety-related, what evidence is available, and where higher requirements for compliance, documentation, and life cycle management could arise in the future.
The EPAS 2026 is therefore less a finished set of rules and more a strategic look ahead. Those who understand it as a "plan" can set priorities, allocate resources with foresight, and actively shape change instead of merely reacting to it. For airports and authorities, this ultimately means fewer surprises, greater certainty in their actions, and a structured path toward even greater safety in their own areas of responsibility.
Would you like to derive clear to-dos from EPAS 2026? AviaCert is always available to help you plan the next steps pragmatically.