Singapore, UK Regulators To Enhance Collaboration In Five Key Areas

SINGAPORE—To better position Singapore and UK aviation markets for the post-pandemic recovery, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have announced they will enhance cooperation in aviation safety, sustainability, training, innovation and “horizon scanning.”

With the goal of mutual recognition of airworthiness certification, the two regulators will be conducting technical visits to validate each other’s safety systems. The aim is to streamline regulatory requirements and lower costs. 

In areas of innovation, CAAS and CAA will also collaborate and exchange experiences on the use of technology, innovation, and research and development to redesign airport processes to enhance productivity and user experience. 

Urban air mobility is also in its scope, sharing information on details of vertiport standards and pilot licensing, and developing long-term regulation on advanced air mobility (AAM) and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rules.

The agencies will also “identify emerging trends, threats and opportunities” to the air transport industry, focusing on emerging technology and changes in operating environments as a means to better prepare regulations and the industry for new developments. 

The collaboration is a step up from the first Bilateral Aviation Steering Committee meeting, held in December 2020 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

“As global air hubs, Singapore and the UK share many similar challenges and opportunities as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic,” CAAS director general Han Kok Juan said in a statement. “The deepening partnership between the two civil aviation authorities is testament to our shared desire to pool resources and share expertise to better serve our respective aviation industries and position them for the future.” 

“Preparing for the future, training collaboration will focus on equipping aviation professionals with the skills and capabilities to continue to support a safe and secure aviation system, including as the sector evolves to introduce new requirements, technologies and users,” CAA Chief Executive Richard Moriarty added.