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.
Drei Themenfelder die Flughäfen und Behörden jetzt im Blick behalten sollten
Inhaltlich lassen sich drei Themenfelder erkennen, die für Flughäfen und Behörden in den nächsten Jahren besonders relevant sind. Erstens gewinnt der Schutz vor Eingriffen in den Luftverkehr weiter an Bedeutung. Dabei geht es nicht nur um klassische Bedrohungen, sondern auch um moderne Störphänomene wie GNSS-Interferenzen, Fragen rund um die Koexistenz von 5G-Infrastruktur und Funknavigation oder den missbräuchlichen Einsatz von unbemannten Luftfahrtsystemen im Umfeld von Flugplätzen. Diese Entwicklungen führen dazu, dass Safety und Security in der Praxis immer häufiger gemeinsam betrachtet werden, weshalb Flughäfen diese Verzahnung in Risikobetrachtungen, Meldewegen und betrieblichen Verfahren konsequent abbilden sollten.
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.
Was heute schon sinnvoll ist: Vorbereitung auf RMT.0751 und RMT.0161
Für die Praxis stellt sich häufig die Frage, was heute konkret zu tun ist, wenn der EPAS noch keine verbindlichen Vorgaben enthält.
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.