Due to the coronavirus outbreak, EASA has issued operational recommendations in Service Information Bulletin 2020-02R2 followed by a safety directive to reduce the risk of spread of the novel coronavirus through flights to and from high risk areas.
We would like to inform you that the Agency has provided to Member States an exemption template in accordance with Article 71(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 to support Member States in a collective and harmonised adoption of exemption measures aimed at extending the validity period of ratings, certificates and medical reports, as applicable, for flight crews, cabin crews, instructors and examiners, mechanics, air traffic controllers and aeromedical examiners. A similar template for EFTA members still using Art.14 will also be provided very soon to those EASA Member States.
The Agency is constantly monitoring the extreme disruption due to the COVID19 outbreak and is ready to provide further support if needed. This said, EASA believes that the issuance of exemptions as such may not always be needed in order to adapt to the situation. We are all facing a situation of Force Majeure, and thus we should in the outset use exemptions only towards the certificates that would elapse in the absence of proactive action.
In addition, the Agency together with the Member States will start working on the return to operation and adapt the necessary measures to ensure the recovery of the aviation industry in the wake of this brutal stop of the activity.
Should you wish to raise any points or questions to EASA in these difficult times, you are more than welcomed to funnel them through me (Antonio.Gonzalez-Gomez@easa.europa.eu ). Let us know if you need any assistance the Agency can offer to overcome the current crisis. We thank you very much for your support and for all your efforts you make to overcome the current situation and to support the aviation industry.